A "desire path" associated with SCP-XXXX manifestations.
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: Foundation web crawlers are to monitor the internet for news reports, personal blog posts, and forum discussions involving manifestations of SCP-XXXX. Should a location associated with SCP-XXXX occurrences be identified and confirmed by Foundation personnel, deterrents are to be gradually introduced to the area to dissuade passersby from traveling the nearby pathways on foot at high speed.
Disinformation responses are to be released following any reports from individuals describing experiencing SCP-XXXX, to present the anomaly as a hallucination or popular urban hoax.
Experimentation regarding an SCP-XXXX location requires permission from the Site Director or a Level-4 personnel member present at the nearest Foundation facility.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a phenomenon that manifests on unpaved walkways made over time by human foot traffic (colloquially referred to as “desire paths”). Based on gathered reports, it is currently believed that SCP-XXXX manifestations are primarily localized to England and France.
When a human travels over such a walkway on foot at a relatively quick pace (taking into account physique and potential encumbrance due to items being carried), SCP-XXXX will cause the following to occur:
- White down feathers will manifest at the soles of the individual’s feet or footwear, and trail behind them until they reach the end of the pathway. (If not soon picked up, the feathers will disappear.)
- Standing or slower-moving individuals on the pathway will move aside to let the individual pass.
- If the individual drops something they are carrying, the item will briefly remain hovering in place and allow them to quickly recover it.
- The individual’s clothing will take on a slight glittering sheen. This effect persists for a few minutes, and appears to cause clothing to repel water in the event of rain or snow.
- Upon reaching the halfway point of the pathway, the individual will hear an unidentified crowd chanting motivational lines to them, including phrases “We believe in you!” and “You can do it!”
- (Pending confirmation) after leaving the pathway, the individual will reach their intended destination without any interruptions, including those caused by traffic, illness (e.g., needing to blow one’s nose), and need to use restrooms.
It is currently believed that SCP-XXXX will not manifest for all individuals. Foundation-monitored experiments have indicated that the following personal history factors tend to be associated with a failure to activate SCP-XXXX:
- Individual’s family is financially secure and has provided for them for the majority of their child and adolescent life.
- Individual has a strong emotional support system.
- Individual has not experienced many major life-changing negative events (e.g., loss of a parent, eviction).
- Individual’s stress levels are low (compared to those of other test subjects).
SCP-XXXX’s first noted manifestation is believed to have occurred on the grounds of the University of Cambridge, following an undergraduate student’s collision with a hit-and-run bicycler. The incident left the student with a broken leg, preventing them from attending classes and the part-time job they held to keep up with the expenses of their education. The student, when later questioned, stated that they received counseling from an elderly benefactress named “Professor Faymaren” (note: no professor with that name has been employed by any of the surrounding colleges) who encouraged her to continue with her dreams despite the hardships she currently faced.
Foundation records indicate that the student later successfully applied for and received financial aid from a philanthropical society, completed her education, secured employment as a well-respected teacher, and married the headmaster of a neighboring school. No “Professor Faymaren” was noted to be present at the commemorative events associated with these milestones; accordingly, Foundation surveillance was withdrawn six months following the individual’s wedding.
Addendum SCP-XXXX-1: On ██/██/████, the SCP-XXXX research team conducted an experiment involving a test subject with muscular dystrophy, who was asked to travel the length of an SCP-XXXX-affected pathway using their mechanized wheelchair traveling at top speed. The individual’s service dog was allowed to follow; SCP-XXXX’s “feathers effect” was noted to manifest for both the individual and the dog (who was later determined to have been a shelter rescue, prior to being adopted and given training as a therapy animal).
Given this new development, the SCP-XXXX research team is currently initiating updates on the web crawlers assigned to monitor SCP-XXXX occurrences. Suggestions and volunteers for further test subjects will be accepted following this maintenance.
Requests ongoing:
1731, 1478, or 1627 - Azzleflux
419 - Reject
1903 or 1913 - Fantem
753 - Adam Henderson (by Tanhony)
1061 - Voct (again, apparently)
1545 - Voct (??? wait Sal wrote this one)
137 - Voct yet again okay sure why not
"Do something related to In His Own Image. Doesn't matter what. Or even if its a ville." - TroyL
To do list:
- tech10k/Craig Vanes bandage idea
- scantron origami man collab
- 15:04 Vince Zyn: now I'm picturing the Fates turning the loom of life into a guitar
Female staff with heart conditions are recommended to not look directly at SCP-888-J. Female staff in general are recommended to not look directly at SCP-888-J. He’s too pretty.
<begin log>
Researcher Kiryu: Good morning, SCP-888-J.
SCP-888-J: Please, use my first name.
Researcher Kiryu: You never told anyone your first name.
SCP-888-J: Have you reconsidered my offer? I know plenty of nice places we could spend time together at.
Researcher Kiryu: No, I haven’t.
SCP-888-J: I think of you every night, because I had your name tattooed on my cerebral cortex.
Researcher Kiryu: That sounds painful.
SCP-888-J: In fact, I can't physically think about anything else anymore.
Researcher Kiryu: …
<end log>
<begin log>
SCP-888-J: I’m sorry. I know your secret now.
Researcher Kiryu: Please explain.
SCP-888-J: I know why you think we can’t be together.
Researcher Kiryu: Do tell.
SCP-888-J: You have cancer. You think you won’t be able to love me properly, and I’ll be hurt in the end. You don’t want to hurt me.
Researcher Kiryu: I… what?
SCP-888-J: No, don’t worry. See, I’ll donate a kidney to you. I’m here for you.
Researcher Kiryu: I don’t think—
SCP-888-J: Or… or part of my liver! I’ll donate part of my liver to you, to save your life! [pause] Liver’s more romantic, right…?
<end log>
Item #: SCP-####
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: A perimeter is to be established around the aircraft hangar SCP-#### currently resides in. Two guards are to maintain the perimeter; the inside of the hangar is to be monitored by video surveillance at all times.
Every thirty days, SCP-#### is to be given one hundred sheets of standard 150 mm x 150 mm kami origami paper, in exchange for one “live” instance of SCP-####-1. No other contact with SCP-#### is to occur.
Instances of SCP-####-1 retrieved from the hangar are to be kept in a designated terrarium in Site-19 when not used for testing, and are to be burned following the conclusion of scheduled tests. Access to SCP-####-1 instances is to require Level 3 authorization.
Description: SCP-#### is a sapient humanoid entity composed primarily of various colors of origami paper, with the exception of its eyes and fingers, which are similar to those of humans. Genetic testing has determined that the eyes and fingers belong to a male of Japanese descent. These structures are fused to SCP-####'s paper components. SCP-#### possesses no language faculties and does not pose a physical threat to personnel. It does not require nutrition of any sort.
SCP-####'s body takes the form of an intricate origami structure roughly 1.6 meters in height with a variable mass. Exploratory unfolding has shown a lack of any sort of propulsion mechanism or internal organs beyond structures analogous to skin, a skeleton, and the connective tissues necessary to hold the two together. A dense mass of intricately folded paper in SCP-####'s skull appears to function as a brain analogue, as disturbances in its shape or size have proven capable of disrupting SCP-####'s cognition and motor functions.
SCP-#### is capable of extruding origami paper from any exterior surface of its body. The color(s) of the paper is not related to the part of the body from which it is exuded, and may be fully under SCP-####'s control. This occurs at a rate of a maximum rate of 0.01m2 per day in total, and may occur at up to ten locations at any one time. SCP-#### is capable of tearing off pieces of this paper[[footnote]]Tears made by SCP-#### lack rough edges, despite the lack of any cutting implements.[[/footnote]] without injury or apparent discomfort. While SCP-#### will refrain from extruding paper when provided with sufficient pre-existing origami paper, there is evidence to suggest that it made use of this ability extensively prior to containment.
SCP-#### possesses extensive skill in creating origami, apparently capable of creating any form it desires without the need for external references of any sort. Typically, SCP-#### will create sculptures that somewhat resemble plants, animals, or amorphous landscape features. These sculptures are unique, and do not have strict analogues in the natural world. SCP-#### has not created anything with a humanoid form.
Animal-like figures created by SCP-####, collectively designated SCP-####-1, will exhibit anomalous self-directed movement in a manner similar to that of SCP-####. Instances of SCP-####-1 range from juvenile to adult instances, which have been determined to be incapable of breeding. The rate at which SCP-#### creates SCP-####-1 varies, but has not been noted to exceed ten animal figures per week; SCP-#### appears to devote the majority of its time to maintaining the existing origami figures and expanding the paper landscape.
Addendum ####-1: SCP-#### was initially discovered by a team of Foundation agents dispatched to investigate a recently-abandoned aircraft hangar.
When we first made contact, SCP-#### at first ignored me, then approached with what could have been apprehension. It then proceeded to pull on my hair and grab at my shoulders, then started to bend and unbend my arm at the elbow joint. It seemed confused, and reached for my face and began pulling at it. When I tried to free myself, it became agitated and retreated back into its paper landscape, still taking care not to crush the animated origami figures.
The agents who accompanied me installed a small camera in the hangar while this was taking place. When they’d finished, SCP-#### had curled up in a fetal position, and scraps of paper had begun crumbling and flaking off its body. Video surveillance indicated that SCP-#### did not move again until several hours after the team’s departure.
- Dr. Kiryu
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be housed in a well-furnished room at Site-17. Meals are to be delivered daily. SCP-XXXX is to only be provided sewing materials (thread, needles, cloth, etc.) after permission from level 3 or higher personnel has been given. Site-17 staff are encouraged to maintain minimal contact with SCP-XXXX.
Any instances of SCP-XXXX-1 are to be labeled with the name of the individual they were created for and stored in a designated set of lockers. Instances of SCP-XXXX-1 are only to be removed for testing purposes. Removal of instances of SCP-XXXX-1 must receive level 3 clearance and be documented prior to conduction of the tests.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a middle-aged woman of indeterminate ethnicity. SCP-XXXX is a talented seamstress, and thus is able to perform high-quality alterations and repairs. SCP-XXXX has, on occasion, been noted to make simple articles of clothing.
Articles of clothing that SCP-XXXX has worked on (designated SCP-XXXX-1) appear to possess no outwardly anomalous qualities, though wearers of SCP-XXXX-1 instances report feeling a sense of “reassurance” that accompanies wearing the article of clothing. While the effects of SCP-XXXX-1 seem generally beneficial, prolonged exposure may result in serious effects (see Incident Log XXXX-4-A).
Incident XXXX-4-A: On ███ █, 200█, Researcher █████ received a hat from SCP-XXXX, who mentioned that he looked “like he hadn’t been sleeping well.” (Researcher █████ confirmed this in a later interview, stating that his recent work involving SCP-███ had resulted in recurring nightmares and insomnia.) Researcher █████ reported peaceful, undisturbed sleep after receiving the instance of SCP-XXXX-1, and was noted to have spent increased amounts of time speaking with SCP-XXXX. However, approximately one week after receiving the hat, Researcher █████ developed an irregular sleep schedule, sleeping for at least fourteen hours each day. SCP-XXXX, when questioned regarding the hat given to Researcher █████, expressed worry for the researcher and hoped “the hat helped.”
Testing has revealed that though instances of SCP-XXXX-1 affect any wearer regardless of their relation to SCP-XXXX, severe results were observed only when the instance was worn by the individual for whom it was made.
"SCP-XXXX came to Foundation attention after billing information for a sale made by Marshall, Carter, and Dark Ltd. was intercepted. This information led to a Mr. ████ ██████, a resident of █████, ██████, a small town near ██████, ██. SCP-XXXX was discovered living as a household seamstress on an estate belonging to Mr. ██████ and his young son. After some persuasion, SCP-XXXX agreed to accompany Foundation personnel to Site ██ (It is believed that SCP-XXXX became emotionally attached to Mr. ██████’s ailing son, having taken care of the family for years prior to Foundation intervention.) All believed instances of SCP-XXXX-1 were seized and amnestics were administered accordingly. Information regarding the ██████ family is to be withheld from SCP-XXXX.
Addendum XXXX-1: A search of SCP-XXXX’s family’s apartment uncovered a series of letters, addressed to a Mr. █████ ███, who is believed to be the younger brother of SCP-XXXX (see recovered document). All attempts to locate and contact the recipient of the letters have so far proven futile.
Recovered Document XXXX-44-██
Dear █████,
It was great to see you again this Christmas, even though you couldn’t stay for long. I keep telling Mom that she didn’t need to push you to grow up so quickly; she doesn’t show it, but she misses you a lot too. You’ve been so busy working lately, you almost never call us anymore.
Anyway, thanks for the new needle set. It brings back memories, doesn’t it? It’s been awhile since the last time I’ve fixed something for you. Remember all those times you’d watch me sew? You wanted to try and you stabbed yourself with the needle once, I think. (Speaking of which, you left a coat at home again. This one has a loose button. I’ll sew it up, and it’ll be waiting for you when you get back, alright?)
Sometimes it feels like you’re the older sibling, not me. Take care and don’t burn yourself out, and come visit again soon, okay?
Thinking of you,
████████
Addendum XXXX-2: As of ██ ████, 200█, a series of diaries believed to belong to SCP-XXXX was obtained from the estate SCP-XXXX had been living at prior to Foundation containment. Review of the diary to uncover information regarding uncontained instances of SCP-XXXX-1 is currently ongoing.
██ ████ 199█
█████ came to visit yesterday, the first time in a long while. He said he was really busy and couldn’t stay long. I made him a new scarf to wear for the winter; I keep telling him he needs to take a break soon. It’s not healthy.
██ ████, 199█
Just got a call from █████. He says the scarf is comfortable and he’s been feeling tired at “normal hours” again. Over the phone it sounded like he was coughing, though…
██ ████, 199█
The jacket █████ dropped off the other day is almost ready. It’s by far the most complicated alteration I’ve done so far, but it’s for my brother who is useless with a needle and probably doesn’t have time to visit anywhere else, and besides, it’s nice to see him again.
██ ████, 199█
█████ called Mom to apologize for not spending his vacation time with us. He said he wanted to get some extra things finished so he’d be ahead. That’s just like him, I guess…
██ ████, 199█
█████ picked up the jacket today. He looks so tired. I asked him about his work, and he says that it’s been alright, he just feels like sometimes he’s tired for no reason, but he needs the hours and so he keeps working anyway in spite of it all… I don’t understand him sometimes. He's obviously tired… I wish he'd see that. He keeps saying otherwise. I wish he'd stop fighting it.
██ ████, 200█
█████ still hasn’t called or sent a letter or anything. I’m getting really worried.
Based on the diary, there are currently believed to be ██ instances of SCP-XXXX-1 that have yet to be recovered and contained.
Addendum XXXX-3: A grave belonging to a Mr. █████ ███ was found at the █████ city cemetery. Corresponding hospital records indicate cause of death as heart failure; the patient was noted to have had a history of cardiovascular problems, likely due to stress caused by overwork.
This and any further information regarding █████ ███ is to be withheld from SCP-XXXX.
Elizabeth, my dearest friend
My only love, my heaven-send
They judged that your beauty could not be
They took you away, an anomaly
Still now I wait for thee
Somehow you’ll return to me
Please come to me, else I’ll have
No rest nor end for eternity
Sing to the tune of "Greensleeves"
Zyn is a Venomoth and a woodpecker WITH TEETH. If driven to extinction, Zyn will marp no more. She is the Adzynistrator. She is also 100% pure feels. She is Zynsayzynal. Zyn is the official Mistress of Feels and Lady of the Booooterflies. Ask not for whom the Zyn marps; she marps for thee.
Spider Plant, Spider Plant, does a bunch of stuff spiders can't. Fills a pot! Any size! Makes fresh air? Photosynthesize! Look out! There grows the Spider Plant!
(๏̮̮͡๏)
I never wanted anyone to give up like that.
I was always fond of the first writer I met. He bought me from a library, after whatever poems that were initially entrusted to me had worn away completely and I was tossed into a used book sale. Only he would want that sort of old book.
He was a poet. He smiled often and one day met someone who made him smile more often, and he wrote to her many lovely words, entrusted to my space first so he could cross out, rearrange a few lines, and the like. So many words he gave her, so many words for me to keep for them! I was very happy.
Then one day he gave me water-smudged words that were sad, but still lovely.
I wondered what he was up to when he kept writing one word over and over with the letters in different orders. He built new words, “praise”, “spare”, “airs”… he always did like to play with words. Then he started signing his poems with a different name.
He named himself “S. A. Pride”. For a long time he wrote under that name, and he never smiled, and he stopped writing poems. He would sometimes write stories about himself, exactly about himself, and they would make him feel better. Then one day he gave me two lines, and those two lines are all I have left of him.
I was tucked in his jacket when he fell.
His loneliness, his solitude, all of it became overwhelming and I can’t remember what happened…
I don’t know how, but I woke up in the library he’d originally found me in. It was the library he loved, it was the library where he met the person he’d loved and written to so many times.
He was gone. I still had the words he’d entrusted to me, but I couldn’t stand knowing that maybe if he had written more, maybe if he had looked at his own story and realized what he needed to do instead of giving up…
No one noticed me. But then, everyone I saw seemed happy and I spent my time waiting, watching, and somehow I managed to figure out how to rearrange a few words and letters. I remembered him as I rearranged the words and letters, trying to forget. But those last two lines I kept; I told myself that I would always keep them.
One day, someone picked me up. That person looked lost too, just like the first writer did. So I rearranged the letters I was given, I made a new story for that person. A story about them, just for them, to help them.
She read the story I gave her, smiled, and kept me with her for a few days.
Then one day she gave me two lines, just like the first writer; the lines were simple and the handwriting unsteady. I understood—she was also yearning for someone, someone who might never return.
She gave me those words, and I never saw her again. She had given up, just like him.
There were more after her. I didn’t understand why they kept giving up.
Their feelings, their emotions, their sorrow and pain seep into my pages when they write lines to match the first. I can’t bear to erase them too, so I try my hardest to hold the new words close, and so they remain even when I write a new story. Sometimes I wonder because when I’m given a new verse, the heartache lingers and I feel ready to move on, ready to create a new story and help someone, even though I’ve just lost someone else.
Sometimes I see them in the library again, the ones who have given up, and they look a little better. Empty, but better. It’s my fault and I know it, but I can’t help it if they don’t understand what I’m trying to tell them. I have to take away the pain and everything that the pain brought, to keep them safe.
I do think it’s always better for them to learn to deal with their pain by themselves. I’m still waiting for someone who will give me more than just two lines, someone who will write happy words as well as sad, someone I can trust, someone who will never give up.
But every time someone gives me a new verse, I remember the first, and I can’t lose another.
Merry Christmas, DrSoaryn! I've assumed you're male, but I can always change the tale to reflect proper pronoun usage.
The tale includes the use of SCP-1481. The first two sections are a bit of background, using comments written in the corresponding discussion thread.
As Researcher Zyn observed the pathetic genie through the window of the test chamber, she could not help but tear up as she watched SCP-1481-1 shuddering in the corner, recovering from the effects as the hallucinations of methamphetamine wore off. Researcher Zyn sighed to herself.
"I wish for a thousand hugs for this guy," she muttered under her breath.
SCP-1481-1 has been crushed to death by a sudden manifestation of approximately 2000 dismembered arms, filling up Test Chamber 37. Corpse de-manifested in Medical Ward 14 approximately 2 hours after death. When SCP-1481 was rubbed again, SCP-1481 re-manifested, apparently unharmed but unaware of the events following its death, stating "just saw a crapton o' arms appear an' thought I were still trippin'". Further investigation needed.
Arms deemed unanomalous, stored in Site-105's tissue storage chambers, available for all personnel upon request.
Doctor Mark Kiryu frowned as he stared through the experimental room's outer observation window, completely ignoring his assistant Riven as he passed by, arms laden with assorted paperwork.
"Mark, you shouldn't scowl. It'll give you early wrinkles, and I don't think your facial muscles are accustomed to it anyway. You look like you're trying to swallow a lemon." Riven paused, shifting the papers so he wouldn't drop them. "Come on, let's move the SCP back to containment. Site security's spread thin enough as is, and we shouldn't need that many guards for this one."
Dr. Kiryu didn't acknowledge the comment. "Riven, did Zyn's routine maintenance checkup schedule include SCP-1481's containment unit?"
Riven glanced at a chart hanging by the examination room. "Hm, yes, it did. Your sister—"
"…should be removed from 1481 duty," Kiryu muttered. "What does today's log say?"
Checking a clipboard hanging near the door to the room, Riven read aloud, "manifested half a rubber duck, a set of bongos when asked for a drum set, a towel, and… huh. Apparently the researcher accidentally muttered something and SCP-1481 heard it."
"Do tell," Mark remarked dryly.
"Something about wishing that 1481 could just have a cookie." Riven read in bewilderment.
"Ah. That would explain the state of the testing room." Mark gestured to the window. Riven peered into the room, and immediately noticed that the humanoid within appeared to be gnawing on the floor with obvious relish. Test chamber floors were, as with most things Foundation, standardized, sterilized, and plain. The test floor in the particular chamber appeared to be made entirely of golden-brown doughy goodness scattered with brick-sized chocolate chips.
Mark sighed. "I suppose that qualifies as "a cookie", albeit a rather large one. Imagine how long it'd take to clean this up…" He tugged absentmindedly on the collar of his turtleneck. "Poor Zyn. I can understand her feeling sorry for it, but I'm afraid I can no longer overlook repeated infractions."
"I don't know, we've seen worse, and he looks pretty happy to me," Riven commented as he and the doctor watched the spectral humanoid proceed to roll around the cookie-padded floor in delirious glee.
"This experimental chamber is now completely useless."
"No, it's not. Maybe we can keep the arms in there if tissue storage runs out of room."
—-
“We’re going to run tests on 1481 again?” Riven’s voice was incredulous as he waded through the stacks of paperwork occupying roughly half of the floor space in Dr. Kiryu’s office. “It’s almost Christmas! And you’ve still got a lot of files to close before then, Mark.”
“One of my colleagues is currently developing a new experimental regimen for the guy,” Mark, lounging in his swivel chair, replied to Riven without looking up. “The Soaryn Protocol, it’s named.”
Riven swiped the topmost document from the stack Mark was holding. “Soaryn? Wasn’t he the man who wanted a floating house, someday in the future when they actually have those?”
“Yes. The man’s got a good eye for organization, though. And if catastrophe happens he’s already arranged for some extra storage units to keep the mess in.” Mark attempted to grab for the document, but Riven held it out of his reach.
“Was this another idea he came up with while swimming in a lake?” Riven’s eyes scanned the paper, taking into account the numerous tables full of experimental procedures.
Mark shrugged, throwing a despairing look at the tallest stack of paperwork in his office, which was currently tilting precariously against the left side of his desk. “Regardless, we’d better get to it. The annual staff Christmas party is this evening, and I still need to find a suitably ugly sweater to guilt-trip my sister into wearing.”
—-
Log of tests with SCP-1481:
Item Requested: One roast turkey
Result: SCP-1481-1 manifested a live turkey, which it promptly chased around the testing room for nineteen minutes and thirty-seven seconds before tiring and requesting an alcoholic beverage
“Mark, did you seriously ask for two dozen cans of beer to be included on the test procedure materials list?”
“Yes, Riven, and don’t look at me like that, none of it’s for me. Or you, for that matter. Help me get this turkey to the guard waiting outside. Bird makes an awful racket.”
Item Requested: A pot of cabbage soup
Result: SCP-1481-1 manifested forty heads of lettuce, a bucket of water, and a rock. SCP-1481-1 halfheartedly gnawed on a lettuce leaf before requesting a sandwich.
“Mark, stop chucking lettuce at me-Mark! What did I just-ow, shit, that hurt!”
“Go get the genie his sandwich, Riven, I need to clean up all this lettuce.”
Item Requested: One hundred 100-gram oranges.
Result: SCP-1481-1 manifested exactly two hundred lemons, weighing 200 grams each.
“Mark, if you throw that lemon at me, I’m calling security and having you written up for cognitohazard exposure.”
Item Requested: Twelve pieces of white toast.
Result: SCP-1481-1 manifested twelve dozen loaves of (untoasted) white bread in two stacks, neatly stacked.
“We’re going to run out of storage space.”
Item Requested: A set of porcelain plates.
Result: SCP-1481-1 manifested a maelstrom of paper plates.
“This Soaryn Protocol makes no sense, Mark. What are we even testing anymore?”
“After awhile, you start assuming every madness has a method, Riven.”
—-
Many similar tests later…
“I don’t really understand why the Soaryn Protocol had to be implemented today,” Riven groused as he kicked open the door to his and Mark’s shared workspace office and flopped into his swivel chair. “I never want to see lettuce again.”
Mark hummed “Greensleeves” to himself as he tossed his coat onto an unoccupied coffee table. Picking up a flyer from his inbox, the doctor read the contents and smiled. “I think I might have an idea why.”
—-
“To the Soaryn Protocol!” Glasses clinked and (thrice-tested, thrice-confirmed non-anomalous) lemonade was downed.
Laughter, cheers, exchanges of good wishes and “hope you don’t need to test any Keters next year” peppered the air as the entire site staff turned up to celebrate the holiday season.
Mark watched his assistant and sister attempt to waltz to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Amused, he headed towards the refreshments table, where he noticed a familiar colleague of his.
“Hello. You’ve outdone yourself, I must say. Your predictions were nearly all accurate, the turkey being the obvious exception. Though 1481-1 is probably worn out by now.” Mark snagged a turkey sandwich from the table and took a bite. The man he’d addressed chuckled lightly, taking a sip of lemonade.
“The entity in question is currently sleeping peacefully in a fort made from approximately one hundred and forty-eight extra-large goose down pillows, which were manifested in a last-minute test. There are four guards posted outside the room, equipped with ten sandwiches each.”
With a laugh, Mark clapped the man on the shoulder. “It’s not a conventional Christmas staff party, but I don’t think the Site would have it any other way.”
Dr. Soaryn smiled and raised his glass. “It’s the thought that counts.”
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