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world-of-wolves-interlude | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/world-of-wolves-episode-two">Episode Two</a> |=| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/world-of-wolves-hub">World Of Wolves</a> |=| Possibly Coming »</strong></p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>November 4th, 2016 : <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/kalinins-proposal" target="_blank">ENDODUS</a> Phase 0</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Many Lightyears From Earth</strong></p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p><em>Planet of Eyes, fifty-seven, starvation.</em></p>
<p><em>Total five thousand, three-hundred and seventy-two.</em></p>
<p>The negotiations room was large and well-decorated, bearing the atmosphere of a forest cabin with its glazed wooden paneling, intricate carved furniture, and stone-encircled artificial fireplace.</p>
<p>This homely aura was not lost on either diplomat at the central table, but neither was it truly appreciated.</p>
<p><em>Planet of Skin, twenty-four, exhaustion.</em></p>
<p><em>Total five thousand, three-hundred, and ninety-six.</em></p>
<p>The smaller of the two, a young-looking man dressed in a suit of rippling grey fabric, refused to meet the gaze of the gunmetal monolith seated before him, which continued to prattle off statistics in that grating, gentlemanly tone.</p>
<p><em>Planet of Teeth, sixty-eight, blood loss.</em></p>
<p><em>Total five-thousand, four-hundred, and sixty-four.</em></p>
<p><em>There</em> is <em>a reason you have requested my presence today, is there not?</em></p>
<p>Statistics, and jabs.</p>
<p>Plenty of jabs.</p>
<p>“Of course, Great Death.” The diplomat spoke in sighs, through near-gritted teeth; he hated having to deal with higher beings, with their unending smugness & superior aura.</p>
<p><em>Planet of Ears, twenty, building collapse.</em></p>
<p><em>Total five-thousand, four-hundred, and eighty-four.</em></p>
<p><em>May I be informed of it, then?</em></p>
<p>The giant leaned forwards, it’s armor squealing in both the metallic & vocal sense.</p>
<p>The diplomat sighed once more, and cleared his throat.</p>
<p>“The Haven desires control over the Old Man.”</p>
<p>Silence.</p>
<p>Silence was unusual for Great Death.</p>
<p>The diplomat fidgeted in his black-leather chair as the monolith loomed over him, quiet & unmoving.</p>
<p>Ten seconds.</p>
<p>Twenty.</p>
<p>He could feel its gaze upon him like the bead of a sniper waiting for the call.</p>
<p>Thirty…</p>
<p>The figure rolled backwards, erupting with snickers as steadily paced as the beat of a rifle.</p>
<p>It took about twenty seconds for them to begin speaking again.</p>
<p><em>Hah! Hah. You certainly seem to be getting</em> desperate, <em>aren’t you?</em></p>
<p>“<em><strong>Certainly not,</strong></em> Great Death.” This was through gritted teeth, now; if there was one thing the diplomat hated above all else, it was being seen as desperate.</p>
<p><em>Hmhrmhmhm, sure, sure.</em></p>
<p>The monolith straightened out, its pointed creat gleaming like the stern of a battleship.</p>
<p><em>Planet of Skin, seventeen, exhaustion.</em></p>
<p><em>Total five-thousand, five-hundred, and one.</em></p>
<p><em>I assume you know, though, that this is a tall ask of us.</em></p>
<p>“Of course we understand that, Great Death. We are not <em>fools</em>.”</p>
<p>The diplomat regains his calm, neutral demeanor.</p>
<p>“The Haven simply wants reassurance that your support in this endeavor remains absolute, as you promised.”</p>
<p>The giant chuckles again, more of a supply train’s steady churning this time.</p>
<p><em>Hrm-hm! Is</em> that <em>what you want to frame this as, then?</em></p>
<p>The diplomat tenses again, silently yet obviously seething.</p>
<p>“It is the <em>truth,</em> Great Death.”</p>
<p><em>Hrm, yes, of course.</em></p>
<p>The colossus stretches their arms, the sound of rending steel nearly deafening in intensity.</p>
<p><em>Well. I suppose that we could partake in another bargain of sorts, considering your society’s stature in the grand schemes of those above even ourselves.</em></p>
<p>At this, the diplomat leans forwards, an uncharacteristic grin spread across their face, in a display of glee comparable to a child being praised for their talent.</p>
<p>“You suppose, Great Death?”</p>
<p><em>Of course.</em></p>
<p><em>Provided you are accepting of the terms.</em></p>
<p>The diplomat’s expression falters, for a moment, before reorganizing into a facade of understanding.</p>
<p>“Right, yes, the terms. I am certain the Haven would be willing to-“</p>
<p><em>Two-thousand of your own, every month, for the rest of the Haven’s existence.</em></p>
<p>The monolith leans back once more, watching as the diplomat fumbles for a response, his mouth open in combined shock, indignation, and confusion.</p>
<p>“…B- But, Great Death, you already receive millions of sacrifices from us each day, what-”</p>
<p><em>Planet of Eyes, sixteen, starvation.</em></p>
<p><em>Total five-thousand, five-hundred, and seventeen.</em></p>
<p><em>Well, I must mean something</em> else, <em>then, would I not, hrm?</em></p>
<p>The diplomat momentarily sputters, before his face shifts in horrified realization.</p>
<p>“But such- such a large number of our own kin! We would surely collapse in a decade on those terms, you-“</p>
<p><em>Planet of Teeth, thirty-seven, blood loss.</em></p>
<p><em>Total five-thousand, five hundred, and fifty-four.</em></p>
<p><em>That seems a bit dramatic.</em></p>
<p>“I-“ the diplomat exhales in a fruitless attempt at composure. “The Haven would be willing to accept a- a lesser number, or a greater timespan, perhaps, but these terms as they are <em>cannot stand,</em> and you-“</p>
<p><em>Planet of-</em></p>
<p><em><strong>“STOP MOCKING US!”</strong></em></p>
<p>The diplomat clamps a hand over his mouth as the room shakes from an impact unseen, and the fireplace begins belching forth an abnormal quantity of acrid, sulfuric smoke.</p>
<p>The negotiations room begins blurring at the edges, as if the world’s own vision is fading, and the air starts to grow cloudy with gray clouds of dust, or ash, or pulverized rubble.</p>
<p>The view from the window is now one of carnage, as blooms of white & orange tear holes in the sides of the formerly grand & prideful cityscape, set against the backdrop of a black, soot-choked sky.</p>
<p>All the while, the monolith sits unmoving in their seat.</p>
<p>Silent.</p>
<p><em>…</em></p>
<p>The smoke clears, the impacts cease, the city is whole again; all in the span of an instant, as the monolith breaks into actual, human laughter.</p>
<p><em>Hoh-hohohohoh! Touched a nerve, I see.</em></p>
<p>The giant laughs again, before breaking into a brief coughing fit, as the diplomat watches in fearful indignance.</p>
<p>Eventually, the monolith manages to master itself, and speaks in that measured, irritant tone once more.</p>
<p><em>Ahem-hrm.</em></p>
<p><em>Still, the price is fixed; as it always was, always is, and always will be.</em></p>
<p><em>The only difference is</em> scale, <em>really. Hrhm.</em></p>
<p>The figure leans forward, their form casting a shadow like a grand artillery unit.</p>
<p><em>I can give your little utopia a week, perhaps even two, to.. think it over.</em></p>
<p><em>No more than that.</em></p>
<p><em>You know how…</em> impatient <em>warfare can be at times.</em></p>
<p>The titan stands from their chair of charred wreckage, which sinks back into the crater in the otherwise pristine wooden floor.</p>
<p><em>And speaking of, I believe I have some matters I must attend to.</em></p>
<p><em>Very productive meeting, I’d say. Ha-hm.</em></p>
<p>The diplomat, still seething in silence, watches as a hole rips itself open in the room’s roof, like a slow-motion shell strike without a projectile.</p>
<p>Just as the monolith starts rising away into the expanse above, they stop mid-air, & turn their misshapen crown of a head.</p>
<p><em>Haven of Man, one, old age.</em></p>
<p><em>Total five-thousand, five hundred, and fifty-five.</em></p>
<p><em>Heh.</em></p>
<p><em>I trust you will have an answer for me, when the time comes.</em></p>
<p><em>Farewell.</em></p>
<p>With those words, the Brother of Great Death ascends into the vast expanse above towards the nearest dust-grey, ruin-laden “moon” in the sky.</p>
<p>And below the diplomat lets their unblemished head sink into their wrinkle-free hands.</p>
<p>“…Goddamn it.”</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/world-of-wolves-episode-two">Episode Two</a> |=| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/world-of-wolves-hub">World Of Wolves</a> |=| Possibly Coming »</strong></p>
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<p>"<a href="/world-of-wolves-interlude">World Of Wolves: Interlude</a>" by Clysm31201, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/world-of-wolves-interlude">https://scpwiki.com/world-of-wolves-interlude</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
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= **<< [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/world-of-wolves-episode-two|Episode Two]]] |=| [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/world-of-wolves-hub|World Of Wolves]]] |=| Possibly Coming >>**
@@ @@
= **November 4th, 2016 : [*https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/kalinins-proposal ENDODUS] Phase 0**
= **Many Lightyears From Earth**
@@ @@
//Planet of Eyes, fifty-seven, starvation.//
//Total five thousand, three-hundred and seventy-two.//
The negotiations room was large and well-decorated, bearing the atmosphere of a forest cabin with its glazed wooden paneling, intricate carved furniture, and stone-encircled artificial fireplace.
This homely aura was not lost on either diplomat at the central table, but neither was it truly appreciated.
//Planet of Skin, twenty-four, exhaustion.//
//Total five thousand, three-hundred, and ninety-six.//
The smaller of the two, a young-looking man dressed in a suit of rippling grey fabric, refused to meet the gaze of the gunmetal monolith seated before him, which continued to prattle off statistics in that grating, gentlemanly tone.
//Planet of Teeth, sixty-eight, blood loss.//
//Total five-thousand, four-hundred, and sixty-four.//
//There// is //a reason you have requested my presence today, is there not?//
Statistics, and jabs.
Plenty of jabs.
“Of course, Great Death.” The diplomat spoke in sighs, through near-gritted teeth; he hated having to deal with higher beings, with their unending smugness & superior aura.
//Planet of Ears, twenty, building collapse.//
//Total five-thousand, four-hundred, and eighty-four.//
//May I be informed of it, then?//
The giant leaned forwards, it’s armor squealing in both the metallic & vocal sense.
The diplomat sighed once more, and cleared his throat.
“The Haven desires control over the Old Man.”
Silence.
Silence was unusual for Great Death.
The diplomat fidgeted in his black-leather chair as the monolith loomed over him, quiet & unmoving.
Ten seconds.
Twenty.
He could feel its gaze upon him like the bead of a sniper waiting for the call.
Thirty…
The figure rolled backwards, erupting with snickers as steadily paced as the beat of a rifle.
It took about twenty seconds for them to begin speaking again.
//Hah! Hah. You certainly seem to be getting// desperate, //aren’t you?//
“//**Certainly not,**// Great Death.” This was through gritted teeth, now; if there was one thing the diplomat hated above all else, it was being seen as desperate.
//Hmhrmhmhm, sure, sure.//
The monolith straightened out, its pointed creat gleaming like the stern of a battleship.
//Planet of Skin, seventeen, exhaustion.//
//Total five-thousand, five-hundred, and one.//
//I assume you know, though, that this is a tall ask of us.//
“Of course we understand that, Great Death. We are not //fools//.”
The diplomat regains his calm, neutral demeanor.
“The Haven simply wants reassurance that your support in this endeavor remains absolute, as you promised.”
The giant chuckles again, more of a supply train’s steady churning this time.
//Hrm-hm! Is// that //what you want to frame this as, then?//
The diplomat tenses again, silently yet obviously seething.
“It is the //truth,// Great Death.”
//Hrm, yes, of course.//
The colossus stretches their arms, the sound of rending steel nearly deafening in intensity.
//Well. I suppose that we could partake in another bargain of sorts, considering your society’s stature in the grand schemes of those above even ourselves.//
At this, the diplomat leans forwards, an uncharacteristic grin spread across their face, in a display of glee comparable to a child being praised for their talent.
“You suppose, Great Death?”
//Of course.//
//Provided you are accepting of the terms.//
The diplomat’s expression falters, for a moment, before reorganizing into a facade of understanding.
“Right, yes, the terms. I am certain the Haven would be willing to-“
//Two-thousand of your own, every month, for the rest of the Haven’s existence.//
The monolith leans back once more, watching as the diplomat fumbles for a response, his mouth open in combined shock, indignation, and confusion.
“…B- But, Great Death, you already receive millions of sacrifices from us each day, what-”
//Planet of Eyes, sixteen, starvation.//
//Total five-thousand, five-hundred, and seventeen.//
//Well, I must mean something// else, //then, would I not, hrm?//
The diplomat momentarily sputters, before his face shifts in horrified realization.
“But such- such a large number of our own kin! We would surely collapse in a decade on those terms, you-“
//Planet of Teeth, thirty-seven, blood loss.//
//Total five-thousand, five hundred, and fifty-four.//
//That seems a bit dramatic.//
“I-“ the diplomat exhales in a fruitless attempt at composure. “The Haven would be willing to accept a- a lesser number, or a greater timespan, perhaps, but these terms as they are //cannot stand,// and you-“
//Planet of-//
//**“STOP MOCKING US!”**//
The diplomat clamps a hand over his mouth as the room shakes from an impact unseen, and the fireplace begins belching forth an abnormal quantity of acrid, sulfuric smoke.
The negotiations room begins blurring at the edges, as if the world’s own vision is fading, and the air starts to grow cloudy with gray clouds of dust, or ash, or pulverized rubble.
The view from the window is now one of carnage, as blooms of white & orange tear holes in the sides of the formerly grand & prideful cityscape, set against the backdrop of a black, soot-choked sky.
All the while, the monolith sits unmoving in their seat.
Silent.
//…//
The smoke clears, the impacts cease, the city is whole again; all in the span of an instant, as the monolith breaks into actual, human laughter.
//Hoh-hohohohoh! Touched a nerve, I see.//
The giant laughs again, before breaking into a brief coughing fit, as the diplomat watches in fearful indignance.
Eventually, the monolith manages to master itself, and speaks in that measured, irritant tone once more.
//Ahem-hrm.//
//Still, the price is fixed; as it always was, always is, and always will be.//
//The only difference is// scale, //really. Hrhm.//
The figure leans forward, their form casting a shadow like a grand artillery unit.
//I can give your little utopia a week, perhaps even two, to.. think it over.//
//No more than that.//
//You know how…// impatient //warfare can be at times.//
The titan stands from their chair of charred wreckage, which sinks back into the crater in the otherwise pristine wooden floor.
//And speaking of, I believe I have some matters I must attend to.//
//Very productive meeting, I’d say. Ha-hm.//
The diplomat, still seething in silence, watches as a hole rips itself open in the room’s roof, like a slow-motion shell strike without a projectile.
Just as the monolith starts rising away into the expanse above, they stop mid-air, & turn their misshapen crown of a head.
//Haven of Man, one, old age.//
//Total five-thousand, five hundred, and fifty-five.//
//Heh.//
//I trust you will have an answer for me, when the time comes.//
//Farewell.//
With those words, the Brother of Great Death ascends into the vast expanse above towards the nearest dust-grey, ruin-laden “moon” in the sky.
And below the diplomat lets their unblemished head sink into their wrinkle-free hands.
“…Goddamn it.”
= **<< [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/world-of-wolves-episode-two|Episode Two]]] |=| [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/world-of-wolves-hub|World Of Wolves]]] |=| Possibly Coming >>**
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2024-04-26T19:30:00 | [
"_licensebox",
"brothers-of-death",
"dystopian",
"tale"
] | World Of Wolves: Interlude - SCP Foundation | 5 | [
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"world-of-wolves-hub",
"kalinins-proposal",
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|
wormsign-actual | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/flowers-grown-feral-skulls-sucked-clean/">Previous Tale</a> | <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> | <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pique-proves-perennial">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p>
</div>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>H. Issue Summary for Assistant Director Review –</strong> Operation BIRCH CREEK revealed shortcomings in analysis, equipment, and locale-specific training that must be fixed to establish deterrence against far-side Coalition elements. Hurdles to improving throughput include:</p>
<p>1. FB 202.4 designates DSU#31 as a low-significance area of operations, constricting flow of resources, personnel management requests, and budget flexibility; update to FB 202.4 is lagging in OVCOM despite promises to expedite.</p>
<p>2. ODSUS policy restricts gap transit of anyone cleared above L2 to maintain general OPSEC. Authorizing components are slow to issue exceptions due to DSU#12 activity.</p>
<p>3. Offices with concentrations of former MTF Alpha-85 personnel are unwilling to commit budget toward re-issuing lapsed NSRE certifications. Schedule slips imply seconded personnel may be unable to resume work in a timely manner.</p>
<p>As of writing, extensive interdepartmental communication has proven unable to resolve these issues.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This is how it comes undone:</p>
<p>Gunpowder shifting through fingers that once cupped fragrant soil. Wires stripped by sharp teeth and soldered in forges barred from craft. Sparks illuminating a serenity found only in crossing the line from fascination to action. Enchanted rings—for good fortune, for good health, for luscious hair and clear skin and every other trifling concern imaginable—offer nothing compared to the detonator's tantalizing <em>what if?</em></p>
<p>A guardhouse known to inhale conscripts burns in the night, smoke made greasy by the communications relay stashed there. In fizzles and pops, in hissing most aggrieved, those foreign systems scream of rebellion to anyone listening. And what city is complete without ears aplenty? Severed limbs repay severed cable in the morning, accompanying a different strain of scream that reaches far beyond the public square.</p>
<p>Adventurers' guilds receiving a flood of requests laundered through intermediaries who make little effort to hide their intent. Coins change hands to hunt pack leaders and strew their remains across border regions, to sprinkle this power or that flask into wells found at crossroads. Perhaps Cynria Keenheart knows why she pacifies windborne spirits on a day where NUZ-21s later streak from Allaingar to Tellech. Perhaps Tyrg of the Seventh Spring has divined which cutouts exploit his mastery of ancient stone portals for what purpose. Perhaps it differs less from normal adventuring than the uninitiated expect.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Combined Paranormal Intelligence Apparatus (CPIA) assesses with a high degree of confidence that the Foundation has established an efficient flow of materiel and combatants into GENEROUS FIG aimed at a <em>fait accompli</em> in its heartland. SIGINT shows elevated traffic between departments that managed its past efforts to undermine stability in the region. Local partners report that sleeper cells planted during drawdown were recently activated, while HUMINT and rough IMINT from forward camps show gains are being solidified via fortifications in unfavorable terrain.</p>
<p>Given the denial environment, a long-range strike capability is not sufficient to achieve stated objectives. Local partners are not sufficiently trained, equipped, or motivated to contest Foundation operations without direct support. CPIA assesses with a moderate degree of confidence that displays of force against Foundation targets within GENEROUS FIG will deter rulers from deepening partnerships while pressuring supply chains that otherwise operate freely.</p>
<p>Finally, CPIA assesses with a high degree of confidence that signaling for another drawdown is being done in bad faith or without full understanding of the situation.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Pollen's haze clings to a mountainside village so remote that it barely appears on any map. A single road. Sod-topped homes. Fields irrigated more by snowmelt than rainfall. Soldiers clad in clean suits sweep through, rebreathers heaving and rifles drawn, covering every angle hidden from whirring drones as muzzles trace paths through biosmog. There is no threat though, no bodies. Nothing. Only blooms sprouting fast across every surface.</p>
<p>Pitched fighting over the wyrmskull distorts battle lines on the Ryeseol front. From its myriad sockets—all absent the golden orbs which once granted prescience in sum—extend barrels of whatever guns suit hands practiced with bow and sling. From between monolithic fangs, lenses glint like a trove of their own. Fire returned from Foundation forces doesn't leave a scratch on ancient bone; grenades, MURSRs, and worse all fail to scorch a frame birthed by inferno. It seems invincible until a blade that scatters leaves is drawn anew.</p>
<p>From atop the Saltmade Throne, Her Immortal Majesty, Defender of the Realm, Executor of Seven Sacred Wills, Bearer of the Peregrine Blade, from whom all boons and blessings flow, dreams with a mind forever locked beyond her skull by sodium. There, thoughts trace neuron paths through ichor despite its freedom from every binding that bodies impose:</p>
<p><em>This is the runespell named</em> Grand Burial <em>for how its pronouncement inverts firm soil and solid stone.</em></p>
<p><em>This is the runespell named</em> Mass Disjunction <em>for how its victims' bodies set themselves to separation.</em></p>
<p><em>This is the runespell named</em> Serene Contagion <em>for how its touch spreads by touch, by sound, by sight, plagued minds made numb to every atrocity.</em></p>
<p><em>This is the runespell named</em> Abjure Causality <em>for how its utterance severs the ties marrying action to reaction, cause to effect.</em></p>
<p><em>This is the runespell named</em> Imperial Edict <em>for how its–</em></p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>FROM:</strong> <span class="wiki-email">gro.nes.limp-co.nu|nikrib.enilorac#gro.nes.limp-co.nu|nikrib.enilorac</span><br/>
<strong>TO:</strong> <span class="wiki-email">gro.nes.limp-co.nu|nossredna.ile#gro.nes.limp-co.nu|nossredna.ile</span><br/>
<strong>SUBJECT:</strong> Unaccounted for INGMasSENTs</p>
<hr/>
<p><tt>Attachment: KREL_2687923_260726_arch.jpg</tt></p>
<p>Eli,</p>
<p>Our latest attempt to brute force drones through the denial zone produced some useful intel. Attached photo seems relevant to your office. At least you won't need to prioritize finding that rogue pilot or her robots anymore (but better pray nobody asks how to take it intact).</p>
<p>Yours,</p>
<p>Caroline Birkin | <em>Effects Coordination Specialist</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Cherin's Defiance. Wormhold. Tower Carved from Night. Cannon Spire. LoI-91. The Tall Place. The Tallest Place. Nestegg. LARK POSSESSED. Shadow Cast o'er Lonely Lands. The Hazefort. Dirtmound. Haven. Home. These names and more cling to the fortress rising from Cherinmark's overgrowth. What were once aspirational walls have been realized, dozens of stories tall and built doublethick; spires now loom beyond any schematic's demand or prediction, black stone fortified with metal plates both foreign (stripped from selves at no small cost) or domestic (pounded into shape by tired hammers). It defies charting as fiercely as the land beneath.</p>
<p>Indeed, this is the incoherent fort, the cancerous castle, swelling in fits and starts as its architects' energy drives annex after annex, battlement after bailey, saying nothing of dry moats and portcullises spread throughout. Cellars fill with unwanted, unneeded treasure drawn by the gravity well its mass creates. Silos bulge at their seams. Within a maze of corridors interlinking empty chambers rest the bioreactors plucked from their bodies by gentle-if-giant hands, outputs flowing first into weapons dragged from the walls of Fort Gräd. Elsewhere are the speakers that scream, the guns that chatter, the pieces of Aster's extra lives that she forfeited in pursuit of a more fearsome form.</p>
<p>Even more cherished are its cannons—their cleaning a prayer, their loading a sacrifice, their rare firing a prophecy fulfilled. Engineers and operators thus form a cult that respects the monks who gather around glowing reactors without understanding them. Just as alien is the loose amalgamation of armies that follow an ever-violent churn, carried by horseback, brandbeast, or rattling technical. Goblins in armor follow humans in hides. Dwarven nationalists conspire with orkish rebels. Bodies ride out past bodies dragged in. Even those prove useful in the fortress' depths, dragged lower by workers wearing ventilators, fed en masse to a few reactors suited for rancid cultivation.</p>
<p>All transpires beneath midnight banners bearing the wormsign.</p>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">SCRAMBLE 012-1683154-OA1</span></p>
</div>
<p>Objectives:</p>
<ul>
<li>Escort JUNIPER SPRIG package to DSU31/LoI-91 and protect during transmission</li>
<li>Liquidate FID#990941 if needed and erase all evidence of affiliation</li>
<li>Retrieve SCP-7636-13</li>
</ul>
<p>Additional leeway:</p>
<ul>
<li>Permission granted to deploy SCP-7636-2, -5, -9 with current wielders</li>
<li>Permission granted to disregard EGRESS protocols and ODSUS policy as needed</li>
</ul>
<p>Engagement parameters to be set at GECOM discretion.</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/flowers-grown-feral-skulls-sucked-clean/">Previous Tale</a> | <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> | <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pique-proves-perennial">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p>
</div>
<div class="licensebox">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<p>Cite this page as:</p>
<div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item">
<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/wormsign-actual">Wormsign Actual</a>" by Pedantique, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/wormsign-actual">https://scpwiki.com/wormsign-actual</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html> |
[[=]]
[[span style="font-size:90%;"]]**<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/flowers-grown-feral-skulls-sucked-clean/ Previous Tale] | [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] | [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pique-proves-perennial Next Tale] >>**[[/span]]
[[/=]]
[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
> **H. Issue Summary for Assistant Director Review –** Operation BIRCH CREEK revealed shortcomings in analysis, equipment, and locale-specific training that must be fixed to establish deterrence against far-side Coalition elements. Hurdles to improving throughput include:
>
> 1. FB 202.4 designates DSU#31 as a low-significance area of operations, constricting flow of resources, personnel management requests, and budget flexibility; update to FB 202.4 is lagging in OVCOM despite promises to expedite.
>
> 2. ODSUS policy restricts gap transit of anyone cleared above L2 to maintain general OPSEC. Authorizing components are slow to issue exceptions due to DSU#12 activity.
>
> 3. Offices with concentrations of former MTF Alpha-85 personnel are unwilling to commit budget toward re-issuing lapsed NSRE certifications. Schedule slips imply seconded personnel may be unable to resume work in a timely manner.
>
> As of writing, extensive interdepartmental communication has proven unable to resolve these issues.
This is how it comes undone:
Gunpowder shifting through fingers that once cupped fragrant soil. Wires stripped by sharp teeth and soldered in forges barred from craft. Sparks illuminating a serenity found only in crossing the line from fascination to action. Enchanted rings—for good fortune, for good health, for luscious hair and clear skin and every other trifling concern imaginable—offer nothing compared to the detonator's tantalizing //what if?//
A guardhouse known to inhale conscripts burns in the night, smoke made greasy by the communications relay stashed there. In fizzles and pops, in hissing most aggrieved, those foreign systems scream of rebellion to anyone listening. And what city is complete without ears aplenty? Severed limbs repay severed cable in the morning, accompanying a different strain of scream that reaches far beyond the public square.
Adventurers' guilds receiving a flood of requests laundered through intermediaries who make little effort to hide their intent. Coins change hands to hunt pack leaders and strew their remains across border regions, to sprinkle this power or that flask into wells found at crossroads. Perhaps Cynria Keenheart knows why she pacifies windborne spirits on a day where NUZ-21s later streak from Allaingar to Tellech. Perhaps Tyrg of the Seventh Spring has divined which cutouts exploit his mastery of ancient stone portals for what purpose. Perhaps it differs less from normal adventuring than the uninitiated expect.
> The Combined Paranormal Intelligence Apparatus (CPIA) assesses with a high degree of confidence that the Foundation has established an efficient flow of materiel and combatants into GENEROUS FIG aimed at a //fait accompli// in its heartland. SIGINT shows elevated traffic between departments that managed its past efforts to undermine stability in the region. Local partners report that sleeper cells planted during drawdown were recently activated, while HUMINT and rough IMINT from forward camps show gains are being solidified via fortifications in unfavorable terrain.
>
> Given the denial environment, a long-range strike capability is not sufficient to achieve stated objectives. Local partners are not sufficiently trained, equipped, or motivated to contest Foundation operations without direct support. CPIA assesses with a moderate degree of confidence that displays of force against Foundation targets within GENEROUS FIG will deter rulers from deepening partnerships while pressuring supply chains that otherwise operate freely.
>
> Finally, CPIA assesses with a high degree of confidence that signaling for another drawdown is being done in bad faith or without full understanding of the situation.
Pollen's haze clings to a mountainside village so remote that it barely appears on any map. A single road. Sod-topped homes. Fields irrigated more by snowmelt than rainfall. Soldiers clad in clean suits sweep through, rebreathers heaving and rifles drawn, covering every angle hidden from whirring drones as muzzles trace paths through biosmog. There is no threat though, no bodies. Nothing. Only blooms sprouting fast across every surface.
Pitched fighting over the wyrmskull distorts battle lines on the Ryeseol front. From its myriad sockets—all absent the golden orbs which once granted prescience in sum—extend barrels of whatever guns suit hands practiced with bow and sling. From between monolithic fangs, lenses glint like a trove of their own. Fire returned from Foundation forces doesn't leave a scratch on ancient bone; grenades, MURSRs, and worse all fail to scorch a frame birthed by inferno. It seems invincible until a blade that scatters leaves is drawn anew.
From atop the Saltmade Throne, Her Immortal Majesty, Defender of the Realm, Executor of Seven Sacred Wills, Bearer of the Peregrine Blade, from whom all boons and blessings flow, dreams with a mind forever locked beyond her skull by sodium. There, thoughts trace neuron paths through ichor despite its freedom from every binding that bodies impose:
//This is the runespell named// Grand Burial //for how its pronouncement inverts firm soil and solid stone.//
//This is the runespell named// Mass Disjunction //for how its victims' bodies set themselves to separation.//
//This is the runespell named// Serene Contagion //for how its touch spreads by touch, by sound, by sight, plagued minds made numb to every atrocity.//
//This is the runespell named// Abjure Causality //for how its utterance severs the ties marrying action to reaction, cause to effect.//
//This is the runespell named// Imperial Edict //for how its–//
> **FROM:** [email protected]
> **TO:** [email protected]
> **SUBJECT:** Unaccounted for INGMasSENTs
> -----
>
> {{Attachment: KREL_2687923_260726_arch.jpg}}
>
> Eli,
>
> Our latest attempt to brute force drones through the denial zone produced some useful intel. Attached photo seems relevant to your office. At least you won't need to prioritize finding that rogue pilot or her robots anymore (but better pray nobody asks how to take it intact).
>
> Yours,
>
> Caroline Birkin | //Effects Coordination Specialist//
Cherin's Defiance. Wormhold. Tower Carved from Night. Cannon Spire. LoI-91. The Tall Place. The Tallest Place. Nestegg. LARK POSSESSED. Shadow Cast o'er Lonely Lands. The Hazefort. Dirtmound. Haven. Home. These names and more cling to the fortress rising from Cherinmark's overgrowth. What were once aspirational walls have been realized, dozens of stories tall and built doublethick; spires now loom beyond any schematic's demand or prediction, black stone fortified with metal plates both foreign (stripped from selves at no small cost) or domestic (pounded into shape by tired hammers). It defies charting as fiercely as the land beneath.
Indeed, this is the incoherent fort, the cancerous castle, swelling in fits and starts as its architects' energy drives annex after annex, battlement after bailey, saying nothing of dry moats and portcullises spread throughout. Cellars fill with unwanted, unneeded treasure drawn by the gravity well its mass creates. Silos bulge at their seams. Within a maze of corridors interlinking empty chambers rest the bioreactors plucked from their bodies by gentle-if-giant hands, outputs flowing first into weapons dragged from the walls of Fort Gräd. Elsewhere are the speakers that scream, the guns that chatter, the pieces of Aster's extra lives that she forfeited in pursuit of a more fearsome form.
Even more cherished are its cannons—their cleaning a prayer, their loading a sacrifice, their rare firing a prophecy fulfilled. Engineers and operators thus form a cult that respects the monks who gather around glowing reactors without understanding them. Just as alien is the loose amalgamation of armies that follow an ever-violent churn, carried by horseback, brandbeast, or rattling technical. Goblins in armor follow humans in hides. Dwarven nationalists conspire with orkish rebels. Bodies ride out past bodies dragged in. Even those prove useful in the fortress' depths, dragged lower by workers wearing ventilators, fed en masse to a few reactors suited for rancid cultivation.
All transpires beneath midnight banners bearing the wormsign.
> [[=]]
> __SCRAMBLE 012-1683154-OA1__
> [[/=]]
>
> Objectives:
> * Escort JUNIPER SPRIG package to DSU31/LoI-91 and protect during transmission
> * Liquidate FID#990941 if needed and erase all evidence of affiliation
> * Retrieve SCP-7636-13
>
> Additional leeway:
> * Permission granted to deploy SCP-7636-2, -5, -9 with current wielders
> * Permission granted to disregard EGRESS protocols and ODSUS policy as needed
>
> Engagement parameters to be set at GECOM discretion.
[[=]]
[[span style="font-size:90%;"]]**<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/flowers-grown-feral-skulls-sucked-clean/ Previous Tale] | [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] | [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pique-proves-perennial Next Tale] >>**[[/span]]
[[/=]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2024-08-09T05:11:00 | [
"_licensebox",
"tale"
] | Wormsign Actual - SCP Foundation | 13 | [
"flowers-grown-feral-skulls-sucked-clean/",
"swords-unto-scramjets",
"pique-proves-perennial",
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"swords-unto-scramjets"
] | [] | 1456144515 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wormsign-actual |
|
yaldabaoth | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<br/>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><em>God</em> is a mother cradling her dying son in her arms.</p>
<p>The train of her dress flows outward effortlessly. Her impossibly long hair and translucent veil drape her body in shining white curls and delicate lace. Her fingers gently stroke her child’s nose and wipe sleep from his eyes.</p>
<p>She takes a deep breath. The breeze in the silver birch forest is cool and humid. The woods are thick outside the clearing; leaving is easy but entry is unfathomably elusive. Mist prickles her skin. The scent of petrichor and moss is cut only by that thick, copper metallic scent of blood. Warm liquid trickles down her cheek, cooling to bite her skin as it reaches the curve of her neck. The subtle thud of a heartbeat, not hers, is getting slower… and slower….</p>
<p>When the child's breathing finally stops her red lips part. She leans forward to tear her first bite of his flesh.</p>
<p>She does not cry. She does not feel relief. She is neither impatient nor hesitant. She sees no meaning in any of it.</p>
<p>She feels <em>nothing.</em></p>
<p>No words can explain what I've seen but I can't stop myself from trying endlessly. No image captures her essence or the realm she resides within. The words do not exist. It aches to know something you cannot describe. Her image is burned into my mind and yet I cannot share her as intimately I have <em>felt</em> her.</p>
<p>She's so palpable to me.</p>
<p>She does not enter our plane but she’s never been a guest here. It’s hers. She grew it herself.</p>
<p>On sleepless nights I wandered through the woods. The danger was clear; the wolves that circle her clearing are hungry. But the quiet echo of her spoon against the porcelain bowl was a siren's song. I had to find her.</p>
<p>I'm not the first; I know this now.</p>
<p>But they don't know her like <em>I do</em>.</p>
<p>God keeps her head down. She sees nothing. She does not move. She refuses to not because she cannot but because does not need to. The Earth stewards itself. There’s no cruel or beautiful purpose to life. There’s no love or hate behind her creation.</p>
<p>We are livestock selecting ourselves for harvest. We bite and claw and thrash to survive. We eat each other lest we be eaten ourselves only to die anyway. We breed so that our children may one day be consumed just as we will.</p>
<p>We prepare ourselves as her meal. Her hands are unstained by blood or pomegranate, only her lips.</p>
<p>We do not die to feed her.</p>
<p>She feeds <em>because we die</em>.</p>
<p>It was never intended. It only <em>is</em>. Our existence is incidental. God is a child tasting the mold on the bread she left to rot in her backyard. She doesn't understand why she should stop.</p>
<p>She heard me stumbling weeks before I found the clearing. She never raised her head. She knows so much and yet so little.</p>
<p>She could swallow me whole and end my life before my time, but she doesn’t know she <em>needs to</em>.</p>
<p>She doesn’t know <em>need</em> at all. She’s never felt that sharp pang of hunger. Her life is nothing but sloth and gluttony. She’s dressed in luxurious purple silk satin she'll never see at a tea table with only one seat.</p>
<p>Everything she’s ever eaten has climbed down her throat itself.</p>
<p>There’s no soft sigh as she wishes for more. She doesn’t ponder how things could be different. She doesn't think about what's to come or reminisce about what has gone. She doesn’t know whether things are right or wrong. She doesn't even know they can be.</p>
<p>She turns her children over in her hands to admire the new and <em>wonderful</em> forms they take, then swallows them and opens her mouth again.</p>
<p>I grab God by the wrist and pull her away from her meal. Her silver spoon clatters into her bowl.</p>
<p>I beg, claw, thrash, and cry out to her so that she may hear my prayers and make it all stop. She can’t feel it as I dig into her flesh with my bloody blackened nails.</p>
<p>She turns to me with milky eyes; wide <em>innocent</em> eyes. She reaches forward, cups my cheek, and wipes my tears away with her thumb.</p>
<p>She brings her digit to her lips and tastes them too.</p>
<p>She strokes my hair as tenderly as my mother once did between gulps of my mother’s blood.</p>
<p>I can't make her understand. I can't make her stop. She will never <em>understand</em> me the way I alone do her. She comprehends the language but not the message.</p>
<p>I try and I try and I try to make her understand though I know she never will.</p>
<p>Then she's gone. It's all gone. The clearing. The tea table. The meal and all.</p>
<p>I hate her. I love her. She feels neither towards me.</p>
<p>I fight myself. I fight this reality. I scrape my knees running through the woods to find the clearing. I'm bitten and chased by wolves I cannot see. I call her name in hopes she will answer. I can't hear her spoon over the blood pounding in my ears. I need to touch her again. I need to keep trying to tell her.</p>
<p>But she's gone.</p>
<p>Oh God. All I am, all we will ever be, is yours.</p>
<p>She doesn't even know it.</p>
<p>What hurts the most is that I can not bring myself to blame her for what she has created. She doesn’t know the endless cycle of pain she birthed.</p>
<p>How could she?</p>
<p>How could she even know what pain <em>is</em>?</p>
<p>God is supposed to be all-knowing and all-powerful. He is supposed to be full of love or hate. He should have a plan for this world. He should punish those who go against him, reward those who fall in line, or both. I don't know what he should want… but he has to want.</p>
<p>He has to want <em>something</em>.</p>
<p><em>I need her to want something</em>.</p>
<p>But she doesn't.</p>
<p>She won’t wonder what made me do it. She won’t cry for me. She won’t even remember me.</p>
<p>But she will admire my soul on the plate before she takes the first bite.</p>
<p>It won't make her understand. I know it won't.</p>
<p>I just need her to <em>acknowledge</em> me again.</p>
</div>
<div class="licensebox">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<p>Cite this page as:</p>
<div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item">
<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/yaldabaoth">Yaldabaoth.</a>" by IronShears, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/yaldabaoth">https://scpwiki.com/yaldabaoth</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> birdcage.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> IronShears<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA 3.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> This Page</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html> |
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:centered-header-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:centered-header-bhl</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]]
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--link-color: var(--dark-accent);
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--header-height-on-mobile: 20rem;
--gradient-background: var(--dark-accent));
--header-title: "YALDABAOTH";
--header-subtitle: "";
--diagonal-stripes: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/yaldabaoth/birdcage.png);
--logo-image: none;
}
div.page-rate-widget-box, #page-content div.rate-box-with-credit-button {
border-radius: 10px 0px;
text-shadow: none;
box-shadow: 0px 8px 7px rgb(var(--gray-monochrome));
}
div#container-wrap {
background-repeat: repeat-x;
background-size: auto var(--header-height-on-desktop);
}
#main-content{
text-shadow: 0px 8px 7px rgb(var(--gray-monochrome));
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blockquote{
border-radius: 10px 0px;
box-shadow: 0px 8px 7px rgb(var(--gray-monochrome));
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div[id*="page-options-bottom"]:not(:is(.page-rate-widget-box, #search-top-box-form)) > a.btn {
border-radius: 10px 0px;
box-shadow: 0px 8px 7px rgb(var(--gray-monochrome));
}
:is(form#edit-page-form, form#edit-post-form, form#new-post-form, form#new-thread-form) :not(#edit-page-textarea) {
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#header h1 a::before {
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#login-status #account-options ul {
background-color: rgb(var(--black-monochrome));
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[[/module]]
[[>]]
[[module rate]]
[[/>]]
[[=]]
//God// is a mother cradling her dying son in her arms.
The train of her dress flows outward effortlessly. Her impossibly long hair and translucent veil drape her body in shining white curls and delicate lace. Her fingers gently stroke her child’s nose and wipe sleep from his eyes.
She takes a deep breath. The breeze in the silver birch forest is cool and humid. The woods are thick outside the clearing; leaving is easy but entry is unfathomably elusive. Mist prickles her skin. The scent of petrichor and moss is cut only by that thick, copper metallic scent of blood. Warm liquid trickles down her cheek, cooling to bite her skin as it reaches the curve of her neck. The subtle thud of a heartbeat, not hers, is getting slower... and slower....
When the child's breathing finally stops her red lips part. She leans forward to tear her first bite of his flesh.
She does not cry. She does not feel relief. She is neither impatient nor hesitant. She sees no meaning in any of it.
She feels //nothing.//
No words can explain what I've seen but I can't stop myself from trying endlessly. No image captures her essence or the realm she resides within. The words do not exist. It aches to know something you cannot describe. Her image is burned into my mind and yet I cannot share her as intimately I have //felt// her.
She's so palpable to me.
She does not enter our plane but she’s never been a guest here. It’s hers. She grew it herself.
On sleepless nights I wandered through the woods. The danger was clear; the wolves that circle her clearing are hungry. But the quiet echo of her spoon against the porcelain bowl was a siren's song. I had to find her.
I'm not the first; I know this now.
But they don't know her like //I do//.
God keeps her head down. She sees nothing. She does not move. She refuses to not because she cannot but because does not need to. The Earth stewards itself. There’s no cruel or beautiful purpose to life. There’s no love or hate behind her creation.
We are livestock selecting ourselves for harvest. We bite and claw and thrash to survive. We eat each other lest we be eaten ourselves only to die anyway. We breed so that our children may one day be consumed just as we will.
We prepare ourselves as her meal. Her hands are unstained by blood or pomegranate, only her lips.
We do not die to feed her.
She feeds //because we die//.
It was never intended. It only //is//. Our existence is incidental. God is a child tasting the mold on the bread she left to rot in her backyard. She doesn't understand why she should stop.
She heard me stumbling weeks before I found the clearing. She never raised her head. She knows so much and yet so little.
She could swallow me whole and end my life before my time, but she doesn’t know she //needs to//.
She doesn’t know //need// at all. She’s never felt that sharp pang of hunger. Her life is nothing but sloth and gluttony. She’s dressed in luxurious purple silk satin she'll never see at a tea table with only one seat.
Everything she’s ever eaten has climbed down her throat itself.
There’s no soft sigh as she wishes for more. She doesn’t ponder how things could be different. She doesn't think about what's to come or reminisce about what has gone. She doesn’t know whether things are right or wrong. She doesn't even know they can be.
She turns her children over in her hands to admire the new and //wonderful// forms they take, then swallows them and opens her mouth again.
I grab God by the wrist and pull her away from her meal. Her silver spoon clatters into her bowl.
I beg, claw, thrash, and cry out to her so that she may hear my prayers and make it all stop. She can’t feel it as I dig into her flesh with my bloody blackened nails.
She turns to me with milky eyes; wide //innocent// eyes. She reaches forward, cups my cheek, and wipes my tears away with her thumb.
She brings her digit to her lips and tastes them too.
She strokes my hair as tenderly as my mother once did between gulps of my mother’s blood.
I can't make her understand. I can't make her stop. She will never //understand// me the way I alone do her. She comprehends the language but not the message.
I try and I try and I try to make her understand though I know she never will.
Then she's gone. It's all gone. The clearing. The tea table. The meal and all.
I hate her. I love her. She feels neither towards me.
I fight myself. I fight this reality. I scrape my knees running through the woods to find the clearing. I'm bitten and chased by wolves I cannot see. I call her name in hopes she will answer. I can't hear her spoon over the blood pounding in my ears. I need to touch her again. I need to keep trying to tell her.
But she's gone.
Oh God. All I am, all we will ever be, is yours.
She doesn't even know it.
What hurts the most is that I can not bring myself to blame her for what she has created. She doesn’t know the endless cycle of pain she birthed.
How could she?
How could she even know what pain //is//?
God is supposed to be all-knowing and all-powerful. He is supposed to be full of love or hate. He should have a plan for this world. He should punish those who go against him, reward those who fall in line, or both. I don't know what he should want... but he has to want.
He has to want //something//.
//I need her to want something//.
But she doesn't.
She won’t wonder what made me do it. She won’t cry for me. She won’t even remember me.
But she will admire my soul on the plate before she takes the first bite.
It won't make her understand. I know it won't.
I just need her to //acknowledge// me again.
[[/=]]
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<th>Yamete Kudasai</th>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><span class="bt bb">Byㅤ</span> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/tiredsn0w" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7483584); return false;"><img alt="tiredsn0w" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7483584&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736645210" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7483584)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/tiredsn0w" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7483584); return false;">tiredsn0w</a></span></td>
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<th>Published on <span class="odate time_1731558805 format_%25d%20%25b%20%25Y">14 Nov 2024 04:33</span></th>
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<p>I sat on the edge my hospital bed, swinging my feet. It was so high up! They had gotten me a stool to be able to get up and down from the bed, though they’d told me to stay put. They hadn’t been happy when I got up and walked around. But it didn’t make any sense to me. I saw a doctor just to walk around every day! Didn’t they want me to get stronger? That’s what they’d said. It was silly. Their rules were silly.</p>
<p>The nurse in the room turned to me with a bag in her hand. “Okay, it’s your feeding time. Do you want to help? You’re going to have to learn how for when you’re well enough to leave.”</p>
<p>“Sure!” I held my hands out to grab it from her, but she pulled it away.</p>
<p>“Now, now, you can’t go straight to connecting the line. You need to clean everything with alcohol first, or you’ll get sick. I’ll do that part for now, we can work on you learning it later.”</p>
<p>I stayed still as she scrubbed the port on my chest, then the little tubey thingy that came out of it. The white square she used was cold and smelled bad.</p>
<p>“Now, I know this is boring, but I have to ask you the same questions as always. It’s to make sure your head is working right, okay?”</p>
<p>I nodded and smiled.</p>
<p>“Do you remember your designation?” she asked.</p>
<p>“Yup! I’m from the Fifth Generation of synthetics, batch ‘A’, vat number Eighty-Two!”</p>
<p>“Very good.” She wheeled over a long metal pole with a hook at the top. It had a box with buttons on it, and she put some of the tubes through it, then pushed some beeping things. “Do you remember who made you, and how they did so?”</p>
<p>“Yup!” I nodded again. “He’s a synthetic too! And he made me from part of his own body, so he’s like my dad!” I giggled. “He’s a Second Generation, batch ‘E’, vat number Twenty-Two!”</p>
<p>“Do you remember where we are?”</p>
<p>“Umm…” I squeezed my eyes shut, like I was thinking really hard. Then I peeked out of one, and saw her looking at me worried. I smiled back. “Haha, of course I do! We’re in a hospital!”</p>
<p>“Do you know what this hospital is for?”</p>
<p>“It helps newborns like me who have defects!”</p>
<p>Her face relaxed. “Yes, that’s very good. You’re a silly one. Don't lose that. Now, here, help me screw this piece on.”</p>
<hr/>
<p>The classroom was cold. It was the dry season, when the sky was just a little more visible, a little less shrouded in white. Heat was able to radiate back into space. And we weren’t meant to live so far North, on the tail of the Rupert’s tear, the newly government developed land. But it was supposed to be therapeutic, all the nature, compared to the tightly-clustered skyscrapers of the mainland’s belly. Maybe it would even take our mind off the stress of indoctrination. Make it go down easier.</p>
<p>Looking out at the strait, its waves gently lapping copper-rich rocks, I wondered if anyone was going through what I was. None of them were constantly missing from class, so they couldn’t have been, right? It wouldn’t have been the first time I was an outlier. I’d never even seen another person who looked like me. My reflection on the window was bright white against the morning light in front of me. Against the backdrop of normal clones behind me.</p>
<p>One of them was bent over a desk. Crying. A few people crowded around.</p>
<p>“Come on, 5a82, aren’t you going to say anything?” 5a55 asked, suddenly in front of me, both hands planted firm on my desk. He was so uncomfortably close, despite nearly an arm’s length between us. “Don’t you two normally partner up? You should try and comfort him.”</p>
<p>“W-Why… is he crying?” I asked.</p>
<p>“What do you mean, ‘why is he crying’? One of his fosterers died. Anyone would cry if they were in that situation.”</p>
<p>“Really?”</p>
<p>“Yes, really!” he insisted, brows furrowing. “You know how it works, don’t you? They might not be the parents natural-borns have, but they’re still like family. At least like mentors.”</p>
<p>“Oh.”</p>
<p>A small animal scurried across the sand outside, its exoskeleton-covered limbs latching onto larger, weaker lifeforms, which it devoured without hesitation.</p>
<p>“You could at least pretend you care,” 5a55 scoffed. “I mean, come on. One day you’re going to be the one crying, and nobody will be there to comfort you.”</p>
<p>I glanced at the crowd behind me. The thought of myself being in the middle made my stomach turn. “That… that’s fine. I don’t… n… need anyone to.”</p>
<p>“Do you think you’re better than us? Because you think you don’t need anyone? Is that it? Is that why you ignore us?”</p>
<p>“No.” I paused, trying to think of the right words. “I’m… not better. Or… or worse. Just… different.”</p>
<hr/>
<p>The blanket from my bed was wrapped around my shoulders, trailing on the ground behind me. It didn’t do anything to stop my shivering. I couldn’t seem to stop shivering. Ever since I was born, I’d shivered. The first thing I’d felt was cold. So cold. It was bright and cold, with lots of beeping, lots of people.</p>
<p>It wasn’t bright and cold, it was a dimly lit kitchen with an average temperature, and it was quiet, and nobody was there but me and my father. I rubbed my eyes. And shivered.</p>
<p>“Good morning.”</p>
<p>He didn’t look up from where he sat at the dining table. “I’m not staying. I need to go into work early today, they’re divvying up a lot of the equipment for use in other departments. Since I am— I <em>was</em> the head researcher, I’m involved in a lot of it.” A groan. “It’s a huge pain in my side. Not only do I lose my job, and rank, but I have to help the people who are taking it away from me. That beautiful equipment practically buzzed with potential, could have been used for such amazing things.” He glanced at me. “What a waste.”</p>
<p>“O… Oh.”</p>
<p>“And how’s school going? How are you doing in school?”</p>
<p>My grip on the fabric tightened. “Um…” I pawed at the floor with my foot. “No problems.”</p>
<p>“Are you sure?”</p>
<p>“I… It’s fine… no problems.”</p>
<p>“Well, good. I think it’s possible for you to go quite far there. The government really pours their resources into the Academy, say education is good for moulding a populous and whatnot. It’s the best springboard you’ll get to go further in life. So take the opportunity, and you’ll go somewhere, you will.” He took off his glasses and began to polish them on his shirt. “And then you’ll get out of my space.”</p>
<p>I didn’t have the hearts to tell him I mostly stared at my desk or the window, oblivious to what was being taught.</p>
<p>“Y… Yes…”</p>
<hr/>
<p>"You're a really generous person, you know. Generous, and humble."</p>
<p>I peeked my head around the hallway's corner. In the kitchen, my father was stirring a pan whose contents simmered and steamed. The scent drifted down the corridor to me, and I felt my stomach clench in hunger. I was used to it. Like my father, I had a partial digestive system, but unlike my father, nobody had cared enough to try and accommodate it in my medical plans. Technically, I was a Generation Five, so I had a central line like a Generation Five did. Nevermind the fact that my father had made me like a Generation Two, and on purpose. Nevermind the fact that having a permanent tube in one's heart could lead to septic shock…</p>
<p>"Why do you say that, Sir?"</p>
<p>"You could have ordered food. Well, you needn't provide any at all. But you're lowering yourself to the position of a servant," the person sitting at the dining table explained. My vision was too blurry to make out the amount of pips on their shoulder, but from where I stood, it looked like one solid mass. At least a General, I decided.</p>
<p>"I'm a servant of the government, Sir, and you're in my house. This is nothing."</p>
<p>"You sure are, 2e22." The man stroked his chin in contemplation. "We might have a use for you, yet."</p>
<p>I tried to tiptoe closer, in order to see if anyone else was there, but in my haste, I'd miscounted the floorboards. My foot landed on the creaky one, and my father's head turned, eyes snapping to me.</p>
<p>"Who's there?"</p>
<p>"Oh, it's my… it's that project I worked on, 5a82. The one we discussed earlier."</p>
<p>"The government really put you into a strange position, didn't they? Wanting to keep him away from others, so he lives with you, and— ah, forget it. He'll overhear." Then, "Five-aye, how's it going? Want to come out and say 'hi'?"</p>
<p>I balled up the leg of my shorts in a fist, posture hunched as I crept out of my hiding space.</p>
<p>The man met me with a grin. "You don't have to look so terrified, boy. I don't bite. Look, your maker's so nice, isn't he? Look at how carefully he stirs that sea-bark. You're lucky to be living with someone like him."</p>
<p>And he was, using a wooden spoon to swirl the sauce and plant matter. He was so gentle, that I suddenly fought a laugh, one that would have only made me wince as it agitated the bruised ribs I had. Bruises in the shape of the spoon's bowl.</p>
<hr/>
<p>They were playing with a ball outside. Running, kicking, throwing, shoving, laughing. I stood against the school’s outer wall, eyes vaguely towards the commotion, though I was more focused on the plants behind them. They didn’t have those varieties in the mainland. Slender, pale flowers, speckled with blue, waved in the gentle breeze, almost hypnotising in their motions. I could only get peeks of them from where they lay, behind the plump, dark green leaves of surrounding foliage; but with how they contrasted against their uniform backdrop, even someone with my poor eyesight could make them out.</p>
<p>“Why don’t you go play with them?”</p>
<p>I couldn’t tear my gaze away, even to look at my teacher. She had gotten used to this.</p>
<p>“I… I w-wouldn’t have fun.”</p>
<p>“Why not?”</p>
<p>“I… don’t see the… point. In games.”</p>
<p>“Well…” She leaned down a bit, her face falling into the corner of my periphery. “They have fun! They enjoy playing together. And it feels good to exercise, it’s good for you mentally and physically. And it helps you to get stronger. Don’t you want to be stronger?”</p>
<p>“I… I… um…” I looked down at my feet. My thumb stroked the bones that protruded from my wrist. “They’re going to… t-train me… separately… anyways.”</p>
<p><span style="color: gray"><em>“Watch the monitor.” “Yes, Sir.”</em></span></p>
<p>Her intonation turned slow, sad. “How do you feel about that?”</p>
<p><span style="color: gray"><em>A clip flickered to life. Images. Of a person. Only they weren’t quite recogniseable as one anymore. Their body, it was—</em></span></p>
<p>The ground lurched and tilted underneath my feet.</p>
<p>“5a82, are you alright?”</p>
<p>I leaned back against the wall, looked up at the sky, and swallowed down the bile in my throat. One moment passed. Two. “Yes.”</p>
<p>“Are you sure?” She frowned and reached out a hand. Disgustingly, I flinched, and she dropped it. “You look stressed. Your eyes are…”</p>
<p><span style="color: gray"><em>”Unit’s response to stimuli, in order of onset: pupillary constriction, tachycardia, hyperventilation, vomiting, tremors. Conditioning will continue until latter three are eliminated.”</em></span></p>
<p>“I am okay, do not worry.” It was a canned response, repeated so many times, to so many people, it was one of the only things I could say without a stammer.</p>
<hr/>
<p>“F-Father, p-please, don’t, don’t leave me,” I begged.</p>
<p>“I’m busy. I have work to attend to.”</p>
<p>“P-Please! You, you can take me wi- with you! I-I won’t be a bother.” I wanted to reach out and wrap myself around his leg. I would hold on tight, even if he tried to kick me off. And he would.</p>
<p>The skin on his brow creased. “No. You will stay. Why is this suddenly a problem? You never made such a fuss before. You liked them, up until you randomly decided otherwise.”</p>
<p><em>Because it’s different now! I only liked them because they told me all those idealised things! Now they’ve— hurt me! They’ve— changed me!</em> I couldn’t bring myself to say it. My eyes burned with shame at the mere thought, that strangling, crushing shame, shame for things I couldn’t even understand, things I didn’t even know how to begin to speak of. <em>Is it my fault? Did they do it because that’s just the kind of person I am? I’m someone who is sure to hurt others? To kill others? Is a feeling of empathy all that keeps others from murder? Are feelings of closeness to others all that keeps them from murder? Am I, deep down, a truly horrible person?</em></p>
<p>All I could do was stare at my feet, trying not to cry.</p>
<p>“You’re too emotional. I’ve always hated that about you. Why can’t you be more docile, just take the orders that are given to you like a pet does?” He adjusted his glasses, then nodded to someone next to me.</p>
<p>They put an arm around me, giving a gentle squeeze to my side. I wanted to shove the hand away, I wanted to fall to my knees and throw up. But I did nothing. They began to lead me away, into the facility, into that place I hated so, so deeply. I looked back over my shoulder, to my creator, who just stood at the exit, polishing a lens of his glasses on his work uniform. I knew he didn’t love me, I knew he even hated me, I knew he preferred every single one of his other creations to me. But at least he wouldn’t do something like this to me.</p>
<p>“You’re very special to us, 5a82,” the worker whispered in my ear. “Don’t go running away, now. I know you’re scared, but don’t run away from this. This is something wonderful. This will change the world.”</p>
<p>“Okay,” I muttered, wanting to melt into the floor and die.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Bigger than me. They were bigger than me. And scary. They scared me. But they told me it was okay. That I was special. That’s why this was happening to me. It was a privilege.</p>
<p>“Get ready for another one!”</p>
<p>I spun, and the cables above me creaked, the apparatus on my head pulled sharply to the side. I hefted the clunky controller in my hands, and my finger hovered over the trigger, my eyes scanning for a threat on the display screen that rested a finger’s width from my eyes.</p>
<p>A person appeared right in front of me, knife aloft, and I aligned the reticle with their head. But their head, it had skin, and hair, and eyes that looked into mine. The knife came closer, and closer, but my hand shook, the muscles of my finger wouldn’t contract. Closer, closer, and closer, until its blade sunk into the stomach of my avatar.</p>
<p>An electric shock ripped through me, and I dropped the controller, doubling over as the muscles of my abdomen clenched uncontrollably. I couldn’t breathe. I wanted to curl into a ball.</p>
<p>If it was such a privilege, why did it have to hurt so much?</p>
<p>“Come on, Unit 5a82… this is the second time today. You’ve just got to get used to the new simulation settings. You’ve gotten over it each time we’ve upped the realism before. This time is no different, you just need to focus.”</p>
<p>“I-I’m sorry, Sir, I—“</p>
<p>“We’ll go back to the Classical stimuli program for the rest of today.”</p>
<hr/>
<p>It was still dark outside, the school building having just barely been accessible with my keycard. The classroom was so, so thankfully empty. I didn’t want to talk to— or even see— anyone right then. I knew the side of my face still was discoloured. My teeth found my lip as I thought about what had happened, but it was useless, I knew it was useless. Replaying the memory wouldn’t make me a better child, it wouldn’t keep me from annoying my ‘father’ in the future. And keeping my ‘father’ happy wouldn’t take me out of the awful program, because the damage to my brain had already been done, that was why they’d selected me in the first place. Easy prey.</p>
<p>I sat there so long, unmoving, that the bones of my back began to hurt where they pressed into the chair. I didn’t want to be there, at school, but I didn’t want to be ‘home’, either. It was horrible. Everything was horrible.</p>
<p>The classroom door opened, and I flinched, then looked at the window’s reflection to see who it was. 5a55. I could barely make him out; he was one of the more normal ones. His eyes were clouded over with excess copper deposits, but at least nobody would be able to tell if he donned a uniform. That’s how I thought of things, at that point— in terms of my future career in wetwork.</p>
<p>“You’re here early,” he said.</p>
<p>“Mn.”</p>
<p>The ceiling fan whirred overhead.</p>
<p>“So, uh, did you just get here?”</p>
<p>“No.”</p>
<p>Waves lapped the shore.</p>
<p>“Just couldn’t sleep?”</p>
<p>“Dunno.”</p>
<p>“What do you mean, you don’t know?”</p>
<p>His footsteps were slow as they approached me. He leaned across my desk and grasped the collar of my shirt, and I thought he was going to shake me, or strangle me, or something, but he gently straightened it and began to fix the buttons.</p>
<p>“Your uniform is always a mess. Did nobody teach you how to dress yourself? I mean, these are all either in the wrong slot, or not buttoned at all.”</p>
<p>He worked his way down, and I didn’t dare even breathe, too afraid that it would anger him into striking me. That, or I would scare him away, and this tenderness, the feeling of someone doing something to me that didn’t hurt, would be gone. But I didn’t have to suffocate myself long, since even with his blindness, he finished the task— correctly, unlike my attempt— in a fraction of the time it’d taken me. I couldn’t even choke out a thanks, too surprised and oxygen-deprived.</p>
<p>“Every time I see you, it looks a bit bigger on you. You’re just bones now. You need to feed more. Maybe you’d grow taller, too.”</p>
<p>“That’s not how—“</p>
<p>“I know. It was a joke.” 5a55 grasped my sleeve, and by reflex, I pulled my hand back, but he held it fast. “I’m just fixing the buttons. I’ve already seen, anyways.”</p>
<p>“Oh.”</p>
<p>Once he finished, he stood and straightened his own uniform. “Class is going to start soon. Are you going to stay today?”</p>
<p>“Probably not.”</p>
<p>He looked away. “I see. I hope your other… studies… go well.”</p>
<hr/>
<p>“So this is the one?” The person, whose name and rank I didn’t know, paced around me in a large circle. I didn’t look up, either, didn’t try to take in their face. All I saw were my own two feet, tunnel vision blocking out everything else around me. My hand shook in its grip on the hem of my shirt.</p>
<p>“I’m sorry, I’m afraid he’s not very well-socialised. You’ll have to excuse him," said one of the workers.</p>
<p>A hand grasped my face, pulled it up, and I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut, wanted to sink my fangs into the flesh. The hand turned my head from side to side. I wanted to run. “That’s an understatement. But he’s— real? Unit 5a82? He looks like a Gen 2, not a Gen 5. Well, a very… bungled Gen 2. Look at his eyes, look at what they’re doing.”</p>
<p>“That would be the albinism…”</p>
<p>“And this,” the hand patted the top of my head. “How old is he?”</p>
<p>“About… one year. One and a half years old, I think. With nearly a full growth period in the tank. That’s his adult height.”</p>
<p>“Wow. We haven’t had cases like these since before the Synthetics Research & Development Programme was made public. So that’s it, then? They’re saying they stopped at 5a81? What a strange life to have, with everyone asking you why they happened to stop with you, when you’re the least involved person of all. I think that one was perfectly normal, too. What a strange life indeed.”</p>
<p>“Yes, strange…” My instructor reached out a placed a hand on my shoulder. I flinched. “Here, 5a82, why don’t you go make some refreshments while the Lieutenant and I talk about your future, hm? You show a lot of promise. A lot.” The fingertips squeezed. “And it wouldn’t it just be amazing for your training to be put to good use?” Squeezed harder. “I have some dried lilies in my office. Asu lilies.”</p>
<p>“Oh, you don’t have to be so kind to a humble officer such as myself…”</p>
<p>“Oh, but please, I insist…”</p>
<p>They were talking about putting a gun in my hands, a real gun, and could only concern themselves with the niceties of tea.</p>
<p>"Why would he make it? Don’t you have a low ranking officer who could..?”</p>
<p>“No, no. He’s getting practice with following orders, see. And look, he does. Despite the mental strain of the conditioning program, he barely struggled when we…”</p>
<p>I was already closing the door behind me. So I would make their stupid tea. They would muse about how good of a pet I am. I would be put through thing after thing, not complaining all the while. Eventually, it would kill me. I could only hope the last part happened sooner than later.</p>
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[[span]] tiredsn0w [[/span]]
[[span]] 15 [[/span]]
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Yamete Kudasai
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[[div class="blockquote classic"]]
[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/altitudes-hub Return to Hub]
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I sat on the edge my hospital bed, swinging my feet. It was so high up! They had gotten me a stool to be able to get up and down from the bed, though they’d told me to stay put. They hadn’t been happy when I got up and walked around. But it didn’t make any sense to me. I saw a doctor just to walk around every day! Didn’t they want me to get stronger? That’s what they’d said. It was silly. Their rules were silly.
The nurse in the room turned to me with a bag in her hand. “Okay, it’s your feeding time. Do you want to help? You’re going to have to learn how for when you’re well enough to leave.”
“Sure!” I held my hands out to grab it from her, but she pulled it away.
“Now, now, you can’t go straight to connecting the line. You need to clean everything with alcohol first, or you’ll get sick. I’ll do that part for now, we can work on you learning it later.”
I stayed still as she scrubbed the port on my chest, then the little tubey thingy that came out of it. The white square she used was cold and smelled bad.
“Now, I know this is boring, but I have to ask you the same questions as always. It’s to make sure your head is working right, okay?”
I nodded and smiled.
“Do you remember your designation?” she asked.
“Yup! I’m from the Fifth Generation of synthetics, batch ‘A’, vat number Eighty-Two!”
“Very good.” She wheeled over a long metal pole with a hook at the top. It had a box with buttons on it, and she put some of the tubes through it, then pushed some beeping things. “Do you remember who made you, and how they did so?”
“Yup!” I nodded again. “He’s a synthetic too! And he made me from part of his own body, so he’s like my dad!” I giggled. “He’s a Second Generation, batch ‘E’, vat number Twenty-Two!”
“Do you remember where we are?”
“Umm…” I squeezed my eyes shut, like I was thinking really hard. Then I peeked out of one, and saw her looking at me worried. I smiled back. “Haha, of course I do! We’re in a hospital!”
“Do you know what this hospital is for?”
“It helps newborns like me who have defects!”
Her face relaxed. “Yes, that’s very good. You’re a silly one. Don't lose that. Now, here, help me screw this piece on.”
------
The classroom was cold. It was the dry season, when the sky was just a little more visible, a little less shrouded in white. Heat was able to radiate back into space. And we weren’t meant to live so far North, on the tail of the Rupert’s tear, the newly government developed land. But it was supposed to be therapeutic, all the nature, compared to the tightly-clustered skyscrapers of the mainland’s belly. Maybe it would even take our mind off the stress of indoctrination. Make it go down easier.
Looking out at the strait, its waves gently lapping copper-rich rocks, I wondered if anyone was going through what I was. None of them were constantly missing from class, so they couldn’t have been, right? It wouldn’t have been the first time I was an outlier. I’d never even seen another person who looked like me. My reflection on the window was bright white against the morning light in front of me. Against the backdrop of normal clones behind me.
One of them was bent over a desk. Crying. A few people crowded around.
“Come on, 5a82, aren’t you going to say anything?” 5a55 asked, suddenly in front of me, both hands planted firm on my desk. He was so uncomfortably close, despite nearly an arm’s length between us. “Don’t you two normally partner up? You should try and comfort him.”
“W-Why… is he crying?” I asked.
“What do you mean, ‘why is he crying’? One of his fosterers died. Anyone would cry if they were in that situation.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really!” he insisted, brows furrowing. “You know how it works, don’t you? They might not be the parents natural-borns have, but they’re still like family. At least like mentors.”
“Oh.”
A small animal scurried across the sand outside, its exoskeleton-covered limbs latching onto larger, weaker lifeforms, which it devoured without hesitation.
“You could at least pretend you care,” 5a55 scoffed. “I mean, come on. One day you’re going to be the one crying, and nobody will be there to comfort you.”
I glanced at the crowd behind me. The thought of myself being in the middle made my stomach turn. “That… that’s fine. I don’t… n… need anyone to.”
“Do you think you’re better than us? Because you think you don’t need anyone? Is that it? Is that why you ignore us?”
“No.” I paused, trying to think of the right words. “I’m… not better. Or… or worse. Just… different.”
------
The blanket from my bed was wrapped around my shoulders, trailing on the ground behind me. It didn’t do anything to stop my shivering. I couldn’t seem to stop shivering. Ever since I was born, I’d shivered. The first thing I’d felt was cold. So cold. It was bright and cold, with lots of beeping, lots of people.
It wasn’t bright and cold, it was a dimly lit kitchen with an average temperature, and it was quiet, and nobody was there but me and my father. I rubbed my eyes. And shivered.
“Good morning.”
He didn’t look up from where he sat at the dining table. “I’m not staying. I need to go into work early today, they’re divvying up a lot of the equipment for use in other departments. Since I am— I //was// the head researcher, I’m involved in a lot of it.” A groan. “It’s a huge pain in my side. Not only do I lose my job, and rank, but I have to help the people who are taking it away from me. That beautiful equipment practically buzzed with potential, could have been used for such amazing things.” He glanced at me. “What a waste.”
“O… Oh.”
“And how’s school going? How are you doing in school?”
My grip on the fabric tightened. “Um…” I pawed at the floor with my foot. “No problems.”
“Are you sure?”
“I… It’s fine… no problems.”
“Well, good. I think it’s possible for you to go quite far there. The government really pours their resources into the Academy, say education is good for moulding a populous and whatnot. It’s the best springboard you’ll get to go further in life. So take the opportunity, and you’ll go somewhere, you will.” He took off his glasses and began to polish them on his shirt. “And then you’ll get out of my space.”
I didn’t have the hearts to tell him I mostly stared at my desk or the window, oblivious to what was being taught.
“Y… Yes…”
------
"You're a really generous person, you know. Generous, and humble."
I peeked my head around the hallway's corner. In the kitchen, my father was stirring a pan whose contents simmered and steamed. The scent drifted down the corridor to me, and I felt my stomach clench in hunger. I was used to it. Like my father, I had a partial digestive system, but unlike my father, nobody had cared enough to try and accommodate it in my medical plans. Technically, I was a Generation Five, so I had a central line like a Generation Five did. Nevermind the fact that my father had made me like a Generation Two, and on purpose. Nevermind the fact that having a permanent tube in one's heart could lead to septic shock...
"Why do you say that, Sir?"
"You could have ordered food. Well, you needn't provide any at all. But you're lowering yourself to the position of a servant," the person sitting at the dining table explained. My vision was too blurry to make out the amount of pips on their shoulder, but from where I stood, it looked like one solid mass. At least a General, I decided.
"I'm a servant of the government, Sir, and you're in my house. This is nothing."
"You sure are, 2e22." The man stroked his chin in contemplation. "We might have a use for you, yet."
I tried to tiptoe closer, in order to see if anyone else was there, but in my haste, I'd miscounted the floorboards. My foot landed on the creaky one, and my father's head turned, eyes snapping to me.
"Who's there?"
"Oh, it's my... it's that project I worked on, 5a82. The one we discussed earlier."
"The government really put you into a strange position, didn't they? Wanting to keep him away from others, so he lives with you, and— ah, forget it. He'll overhear." Then, "Five-aye, how's it going? Want to come out and say 'hi'?"
I balled up the leg of my shorts in a fist, posture hunched as I crept out of my hiding space.
The man met me with a grin. "You don't have to look so terrified, boy. I don't bite. Look, your maker's so nice, isn't he? Look at how carefully he stirs that sea-bark. You're lucky to be living with someone like him."
And he was, using a wooden spoon to swirl the sauce and plant matter. He was so gentle, that I suddenly fought a laugh, one that would have only made me wince as it agitated the bruised ribs I had. Bruises in the shape of the spoon's bowl.
------
They were playing with a ball outside. Running, kicking, throwing, shoving, laughing. I stood against the school’s outer wall, eyes vaguely towards the commotion, though I was more focused on the plants behind them. They didn’t have those varieties in the mainland. Slender, pale flowers, speckled with blue, waved in the gentle breeze, almost hypnotising in their motions. I could only get peeks of them from where they lay, behind the plump, dark green leaves of surrounding foliage; but with how they contrasted against their uniform backdrop, even someone with my poor eyesight could make them out.
“Why don’t you go play with them?”
I couldn’t tear my gaze away, even to look at my teacher. She had gotten used to this.
“I… I w-wouldn’t have fun.”
“Why not?”
“I… don’t see the… point. In games.”
“Well…” She leaned down a bit, her face falling into the corner of my periphery. “They have fun! They enjoy playing together. And it feels good to exercise, it’s good for you mentally and physically. And it helps you to get stronger. Don’t you want to be stronger?”
“I… I… um…” I looked down at my feet. My thumb stroked the bones that protruded from my wrist. “They’re going to… t-train me… separately… anyways.”
##gray|//“Watch the monitor.” “Yes, Sir.”//##
Her intonation turned slow, sad. “How do you feel about that?”
##gray|//A clip flickered to life. Images. Of a person. Only they weren’t quite recogniseable as one anymore. Their body, it was—//##
The ground lurched and tilted underneath my feet.
“5a82, are you alright?”
I leaned back against the wall, looked up at the sky, and swallowed down the bile in my throat. One moment passed. Two. “Yes.”
“Are you sure?” She frowned and reached out a hand. Disgustingly, I flinched, and she dropped it. “You look stressed. Your eyes are…”
##gray|//”Unit’s response to stimuli, in order of onset: pupillary constriction, tachycardia, hyperventilation, vomiting, tremors. Conditioning will continue until latter three are eliminated.”//##
“I am okay, do not worry.” It was a canned response, repeated so many times, to so many people, it was one of the only things I could say without a stammer.
------
“F-Father, p-please, don’t, don’t leave me,” I begged.
“I’m busy. I have work to attend to.”
“P-Please! You, you can take me wi- with you! I-I won’t be a bother.” I wanted to reach out and wrap myself around his leg. I would hold on tight, even if he tried to kick me off. And he would.
The skin on his brow creased. “No. You will stay. Why is this suddenly a problem? You never made such a fuss before. You liked them, up until you randomly decided otherwise.”
//Because it’s different now! I only liked them because they told me all those idealised things! Now they’ve— hurt me! They’ve— changed me!// I couldn’t bring myself to say it. My eyes burned with shame at the mere thought, that strangling, crushing shame, shame for things I couldn’t even understand, things I didn’t even know how to begin to speak of. //Is it my fault? Did they do it because that’s just the kind of person I am? I’m someone who is sure to hurt others? To kill others? Is a feeling of empathy all that keeps others from murder? Are feelings of closeness to others all that keeps them from murder? Am I, deep down, a truly horrible person?//
All I could do was stare at my feet, trying not to cry.
“You’re too emotional. I’ve always hated that about you. Why can’t you be more docile, just take the orders that are given to you like a pet does?” He adjusted his glasses, then nodded to someone next to me.
They put an arm around me, giving a gentle squeeze to my side. I wanted to shove the hand away, I wanted to fall to my knees and throw up. But I did nothing. They began to lead me away, into the facility, into that place I hated so, so deeply. I looked back over my shoulder, to my creator, who just stood at the exit, polishing a lens of his glasses on his work uniform. I knew he didn’t love me, I knew he even hated me, I knew he preferred every single one of his other creations to me. But at least he wouldn’t do something like this to me.
“You’re very special to us, 5a82,” the worker whispered in my ear. “Don’t go running away, now. I know you’re scared, but don’t run away from this. This is something wonderful. This will change the world.”
“Okay,” I muttered, wanting to melt into the floor and die.
------
Bigger than me. They were bigger than me. And scary. They scared me. But they told me it was okay. That I was special. That’s why this was happening to me. It was a privilege.
“Get ready for another one!”
I spun, and the cables above me creaked, the apparatus on my head pulled sharply to the side. I hefted the clunky controller in my hands, and my finger hovered over the trigger, my eyes scanning for a threat on the display screen that rested a finger’s width from my eyes.
A person appeared right in front of me, knife aloft, and I aligned the reticle with their head. But their head, it had skin, and hair, and eyes that looked into mine. The knife came closer, and closer, but my hand shook, the muscles of my finger wouldn’t contract. Closer, closer, and closer, until its blade sunk into the stomach of my avatar.
An electric shock ripped through me, and I dropped the controller, doubling over as the muscles of my abdomen clenched uncontrollably. I couldn’t breathe. I wanted to curl into a ball.
If it was such a privilege, why did it have to hurt so much?
“Come on, Unit 5a82… this is the second time today. You’ve just got to get used to the new simulation settings. You’ve gotten over it each time we’ve upped the realism before. This time is no different, you just need to focus.”
“I-I’m sorry, Sir, I—“
“We’ll go back to the Classical stimuli program for the rest of today.”
------
It was still dark outside, the school building having just barely been accessible with my keycard. The classroom was so, so thankfully empty. I didn’t want to talk to— or even see— anyone right then. I knew the side of my face still was discoloured. My teeth found my lip as I thought about what had happened, but it was useless, I knew it was useless. Replaying the memory wouldn’t make me a better child, it wouldn’t keep me from annoying my ‘father’ in the future. And keeping my ‘father’ happy wouldn’t take me out of the awful program, because the damage to my brain had already been done, that was why they’d selected me in the first place. Easy prey.
I sat there so long, unmoving, that the bones of my back began to hurt where they pressed into the chair. I didn’t want to be there, at school, but I didn’t want to be ‘home’, either. It was horrible. Everything was horrible.
The classroom door opened, and I flinched, then looked at the window’s reflection to see who it was. 5a55. I could barely make him out; he was one of the more normal ones. His eyes were clouded over with excess copper deposits, but at least nobody would be able to tell if he donned a uniform. That’s how I thought of things, at that point— in terms of my future career in wetwork.
“You’re here early,” he said.
“Mn.”
The ceiling fan whirred overhead.
“So, uh, did you just get here?”
“No.”
Waves lapped the shore.
“Just couldn’t sleep?”
“Dunno.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
His footsteps were slow as they approached me. He leaned across my desk and grasped the collar of my shirt, and I thought he was going to shake me, or strangle me, or something, but he gently straightened it and began to fix the buttons.
“Your uniform is always a mess. Did nobody teach you how to dress yourself? I mean, these are all either in the wrong slot, or not buttoned at all.”
He worked his way down, and I didn’t dare even breathe, too afraid that it would anger him into striking me. That, or I would scare him away, and this tenderness, the feeling of someone doing something to me that didn’t hurt, would be gone. But I didn’t have to suffocate myself long, since even with his blindness, he finished the task— correctly, unlike my attempt— in a fraction of the time it’d taken me. I couldn’t even choke out a thanks, too surprised and oxygen-deprived.
“Every time I see you, it looks a bit bigger on you. You’re just bones now. You need to feed more. Maybe you’d grow taller, too.”
“That’s not how—“
“I know. It was a joke.” 5a55 grasped my sleeve, and by reflex, I pulled my hand back, but he held it fast. “I’m just fixing the buttons. I’ve already seen, anyways.”
“Oh.”
Once he finished, he stood and straightened his own uniform. “Class is going to start soon. Are you going to stay today?”
“Probably not.”
He looked away. “I see. I hope your other… studies… go well.”
------
“So this is the one?” The person, whose name and rank I didn’t know, paced around me in a large circle. I didn’t look up, either, didn’t try to take in their face. All I saw were my own two feet, tunnel vision blocking out everything else around me. My hand shook in its grip on the hem of my shirt.
“I’m sorry, I’m afraid he’s not very well-socialised. You’ll have to excuse him," said one of the workers.
A hand grasped my face, pulled it up, and I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut, wanted to sink my fangs into the flesh. The hand turned my head from side to side. I wanted to run. “That’s an understatement. But he’s— real? Unit 5a82? He looks like a Gen 2, not a Gen 5. Well, a very… bungled Gen 2. Look at his eyes, look at what they’re doing.”
“That would be the albinism…”
“And this,” the hand patted the top of my head. “How old is he?”
“About… one year. One and a half years old, I think. With nearly a full growth period in the tank. That’s his adult height.”
“Wow. We haven’t had cases like these since before the Synthetics Research & Development Programme was made public. So that’s it, then? They’re saying they stopped at 5a81? What a strange life to have, with everyone asking you why they happened to stop with you, when you’re the least involved person of all. I think that one was perfectly normal, too. What a strange life indeed.”
“Yes, strange…” My instructor reached out a placed a hand on my shoulder. I flinched. “Here, 5a82, why don’t you go make some refreshments while the Lieutenant and I talk about your future, hm? You show a lot of promise. A lot.” The fingertips squeezed. “And it wouldn’t it just be amazing for your training to be put to good use?” Squeezed harder. “I have some dried lilies in my office. Asu lilies.”
“Oh, you don’t have to be so kind to a humble officer such as myself…”
“Oh, but please, I insist…”
They were talking about putting a gun in my hands, a real gun, and could only concern themselves with the niceties of tea.
"Why would he make it? Don’t you have a low ranking officer who could..?”
“No, no. He’s getting practice with following orders, see. And look, he does. Despite the mental strain of the conditioning program, he barely struggled when we…”
I was already closing the door behind me. So I would make their stupid tea. They would muse about how good of a pet I am. I would be put through thing after thing, not complaining all the while. Eventually, it would kill me. I could only hope the last part happened sooner than later.
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| 2024-11-14T04:33:00 | [
"bleak",
"blue-blooded-alien",
"horror",
"psychological-horror",
"tale"
] | Yamete Kudasai - SCP Foundation | 6 | [
"glory-at-my-knees",
"superego",
"altitudes-hub"
] | [
"altitudes-hub"
] | [] | 1457358697 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/yamete-kudasai |
|
you-want-to-go-home | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="/protocol-recolo">< < < < < Protocol Recolo</a></strong></p>
<p><em>“Iris…” she began. Iris’s eyes widened — apart from her psychiatrist and the other anomalies no one ever called her by her name, always SCP-105 or 105. “I was wondering if you would like to go back to Arizona.”</em></p>
<p><em>Suddenly the picture puzzle didn’t seem so important.</em></p>
<p><a href="/scp-105">Iris</a> couldn’t even respond. Over nine years of containment had taught Iris that if a Foundation staff asked if you wanted something, it came with a caveat — do a dangerous test and you’ll get a little treat, like a new book or some fake decorative plants to put in your cell. Of course the tests weren’t optional, but it was the mindset that mattered.</p>
<p>The woman looked at Iris. She knew what was going on in her mind and she couldn’t blame her at all. The carrot and stick had been going on since the <a href="/scp-6086">first humanoid</a> was contained. But, this was genuine. “Iris? This is a legitimate question. And you can give a legitimate answer.”</p>
<p>“…What do you think?” The staff never did appreciate sarcasm, but if one was going to ask a question like <em>that</em>, they deserved it.</p>
<p>“I’ll take that as a yes then.” The woman gave her an amused look. “There’s been a new change in protocol. If you’ll follow me, I can explain it.”</p>
<p>The woman walked out the door. After a moment of hesitation, Iris decided there was nothing left to lose and followed her.</p>
<p>As they walked down the hall, Iris heard the foot traffic behind her. She turned around and saw other people in bright orange uniforms and slippers following researchers in similar attire, with four security staff at the end. All of them had the same look of apprehension as Iris. Aside from the sound of footsteps, nobody made any noise. They continued until they reached a pair of doors identical to the ones that led to the cafeteria. The woman who had spoken to Iris pushed them open to reveal a large auditorium. There was a large stage to the left that had a giant projector screen hanging over it, along with rows of cushioned chairs facing it. Whatever was going on, it had to be grand for all of the Site-17 residents to be there. Once everyone made it in, the doors closed behind them.</p>
<p>The researchers walked to the right to the back of the auditorium to a small red door. <em>Must be the emergency exit, or they just don’t want to be in this room any more than they need to</em>, Iris thought. Made sense, who would want to be with a bunch of prisoners in the same room. Well, the woman who spoke to Iris did at least, as she walked onto the stage. Iris decided to take a seat near the exit. It would probably lock if things in the room got too hectic, but it still felt good to be near an exit. <a href="/scp-073">Cain</a> took the seat next to her and gave her a soft smile. He had been there far longer than any of the other anomalies and treated all of them with respect. The closest thing one had to an older brother in Site-17. <a href="/scp-4051">Rainer</a> took a seat in the front middle row. He was always eager to please the staff. Him and <a href="/scp-2800">Daniel</a> were like that. <a href="/scp-4818">Leora</a> and <a href="/scp-3009">Stacey</a> took seats towards the middle. A man with a <a href="/scp-507">prosthetic hand</a> sat towards the back middle. The <a href="/scp-527">fish-man</a> sat near the left middle of the room. The <a href="/scp-2273">walking bug armor</a> sat in the back right row. <a href="/scp-4606">A man in a suit</a> with combed brown hair sat in towards the right middle. A <a href="/scp-1985">tall woman with short braided hair</a> sat near Leora and Stacey. After a few more seconds, most of the seats were filled. Two security members walked towards opposite sides of the stage and two walked towards the back corners. <em>This seems like a lax amount of security officers</em>, Iris thought. Whatever was going on must’ve not been that dangerous.</p>
<p>“Hello everyone,” the woman said in an even voice. Even if they had all been talking, every single anomaly would have immediately gone silent — something about the voice told them that things’ll be alright. “My name is Sophia Light. I’m sure you’ve all been wondering what’s with the gathering, given that this is the first time you guys have been able to meet in a few months.” The crowd glanced at each other, they never did know what caused the end of their socialization privileges.</p>
<p>The screen turned on. On it was the Foundation’s symbol. “There has been a <a href="/some-more-dead-men">recent change</a> in leadership within the Foundation and they have done some reviewing on the containment of sapient beings.” The crowd raised their collective eyebrows at that. <em>Beings</em>. A certainly more endearing term than anomaly. The screen changed to an image of a man in plainclothes walking away from a super-max prison. “We have deemed it unethical for sapient beings to be isolated from their families and the world. So, I present to you the Foundation’s ‘Rehabilitation Program.’ We would like to go through a process of psychiatric testing to determine if you are mentally fit to be released into the civilian world.”</p>
<p>Silence. Pure silence.</p>
<p>A small hand raised. It was Stacey. Sophia nodded at her and the crowd glanced in her direction. “Y-You mean all of u-us are f-free to g-go? J-Just like t-that?”</p>
<p>Sophia sighed. The screen changed to an image of a giant curtain covering Earth. “Unfortunately, not all of you. We want to keep the world unaware of the paranormal. So… some of you still aren’t allowed to leave… because either your abilities or appearance are a dead giveaway.”</p>
<p>A few members of the crowd looked down, with a few having tears in their eyes. Sophia felt a large amount of pity for them.</p>
<p>“And for those who are able to leave, I repeat, DO NOT use your abilities in public, or you’ll be brought back here. For how long, we’re still figuring that out, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”</p>
<p>Another hand raised. It was Iris. <em>There’s got to be more to this!</em> “So that’s it? Just don’t use our abilities and the Foundation will leave us <em>alone</em>?” There was a certain eagerness in Iris’s tone of voice. No more researchers pulling you in for those draining tests! No more bland cafeteria food! No more guards that looked at you like you were something stuck at the bottom of their shoe! A chance to actually be alive!</p>
<p>“Yes. Don’t go showing off in public and you won’t have to hear from us again” Sophia responded. An easy thing to obey. “Now, there is something else we need to discuss.”</p>
<p>The slide turned to a picture of three stick figures. One was an adult male, another an adult female and a small child in the middle. “I’m sure most of you are aware that your families were either amnesticized of your existence or were told that you were dead.” Sophia winced as she said it. It seemed more harsh now that she had said it out loud. From the looks of the crowd it seemed they had similar sentiments. “We’ll inform them of the Foundation and other aspects of the paranormal world and the need for secrecy. As for those who will be staying on-site, we’ll bring them here for official meetings. And speaking of those who’ll be staying on-site, there are some other changes that’ll be happening that we’ll think you’ll enjoy.”</p>
<p>The mood of the crowd brightened considerably.</p>
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[[module rate]]
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= **[[[Protocol Recolo|< < < < < Protocol Recolo]]]**
//“Iris…” she began. Iris’s eyes widened — apart from her psychiatrist and the other anomalies no one ever called her by her name, always SCP-105 or 105. “I was wondering if you would like to go back to Arizona.”//
//Suddenly the picture puzzle didn’t seem so important.//
[[[SCP-105|Iris]]] couldn’t even respond. Over nine years of containment had taught Iris that if a Foundation staff asked if you wanted something, it came with a caveat — do a dangerous test and you’ll get a little treat, like a new book or some fake decorative plants to put in your cell. Of course the tests weren’t optional, but it was the mindset that mattered.
The woman looked at Iris. She knew what was going on in her mind and she couldn’t blame her at all. The carrot and stick had been going on since the [[[SCP-6086|first humanoid]]] was contained. But, this was genuine. “Iris? This is a legitimate question. And you can give a legitimate answer.”
“...What do you think?” The staff never did appreciate sarcasm, but if one was going to ask a question like //that//, they deserved it.
“I’ll take that as a yes then.” The woman gave her an amused look. “There’s been a new change in protocol. If you’ll follow me, I can explain it.”
The woman walked out the door. After a moment of hesitation, Iris decided there was nothing left to lose and followed her.
As they walked down the hall, Iris heard the foot traffic behind her. She turned around and saw other people in bright orange uniforms and slippers following researchers in similar attire, with four security staff at the end. All of them had the same look of apprehension as Iris. Aside from the sound of footsteps, nobody made any noise. They continued until they reached a pair of doors identical to the ones that led to the cafeteria. The woman who had spoken to Iris pushed them open to reveal a large auditorium. There was a large stage to the left that had a giant projector screen hanging over it, along with rows of cushioned chairs facing it. Whatever was going on, it had to be grand for all of the Site-17 residents to be there. Once everyone made it in, the doors closed behind them.
The researchers walked to the right to the back of the auditorium to a small red door. //Must be the emergency exit, or they just don’t want to be in this room any more than they need to//, Iris thought. Made sense, who would want to be with a bunch of prisoners in the same room. Well, the woman who spoke to Iris did at least, as she walked onto the stage. Iris decided to take a seat near the exit. It would probably lock if things in the room got too hectic, but it still felt good to be near an exit. [[[SCP-073|Cain]]] took the seat next to her and gave her a soft smile. He had been there far longer than any of the other anomalies and treated all of them with respect. The closest thing one had to an older brother in Site-17. [[[SCP-4051|Rainer]]] took a seat in the front middle row. He was always eager to please the staff. Him and [[[SCP-2800|Daniel]]] were like that. [[[SCP-4818|Leora]]] and [[[SCP-3009|Stacey]]] took seats towards the middle. A man with a [[[SCP-507|prosthetic hand]]] sat towards the back middle. The [[[SCP-527|fish-man]]] sat near the left middle of the room. The [[[SCP-2273|walking bug armor]]] sat in the back right row. [[[SCP-4606|A man in a suit]]] with combed brown hair sat in towards the right middle. A [[[SCP-1985|tall woman with short braided hair]]] sat near Leora and Stacey. After a few more seconds, most of the seats were filled. Two security members walked towards opposite sides of the stage and two walked towards the back corners. //This seems like a lax amount of security officers//, Iris thought. Whatever was going on must’ve not been that dangerous.
“Hello everyone,” the woman said in an even voice. Even if they had all been talking, every single anomaly would have immediately gone silent — something about the voice told them that things’ll be alright. “My name is Sophia Light. I’m sure you’ve all been wondering what’s with the gathering, given that this is the first time you guys have been able to meet in a few months.” The crowd glanced at each other, they never did know what caused the end of their socialization privileges.
The screen turned on. On it was the Foundation’s symbol. “There has been a [[[Some More Dead Men|recent change]]] in leadership within the Foundation and they have done some reviewing on the containment of sapient beings.” The crowd raised their collective eyebrows at that. //Beings//. A certainly more endearing term than anomaly. The screen changed to an image of a man in plainclothes walking away from a super-max prison. “We have deemed it unethical for sapient beings to be isolated from their families and the world. So, I present to you the Foundation’s ‘Rehabilitation Program.’ We would like to go through a process of psychiatric testing to determine if you are mentally fit to be released into the civilian world.”
Silence. Pure silence.
A small hand raised. It was Stacey. Sophia nodded at her and the crowd glanced in her direction. “Y-You mean all of u-us are f-free to g-go? J-Just like t-that?”
Sophia sighed. The screen changed to an image of a giant curtain covering Earth. “Unfortunately, not all of you. We want to keep the world unaware of the paranormal. So… some of you still aren’t allowed to leave… because either your abilities or appearance are a dead giveaway.”
A few members of the crowd looked down, with a few having tears in their eyes. Sophia felt a large amount of pity for them.
“And for those who are able to leave, I repeat, DO NOT use your abilities in public, or you’ll be brought back here. For how long, we’re still figuring that out, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Another hand raised. It was Iris. //There’s got to be more to this!// “So that’s it? Just don’t use our abilities and the Foundation will leave us //alone//?” There was a certain eagerness in Iris’s tone of voice. No more researchers pulling you in for those draining tests! No more bland cafeteria food! No more guards that looked at you like you were something stuck at the bottom of their shoe! A chance to actually be alive!
“Yes. Don’t go showing off in public and you won’t have to hear from us again” Sophia responded. An easy thing to obey. “Now, there is something else we need to discuss.”
The slide turned to a picture of three stick figures. One was an adult male, another an adult female and a small child in the middle. “I’m sure most of you are aware that your families were either amnesticized of your existence or were told that you were dead.” Sophia winced as she said it. It seemed more harsh now that she had said it out loud. From the looks of the crowd it seemed they had similar sentiments. “We’ll inform them of the Foundation and other aspects of the paranormal world and the need for secrecy. As for those who will be staying on-site, we’ll bring them here for official meetings. And speaking of those who’ll be staying on-site, there are some other changes that’ll be happening that we’ll think you’ll enjoy.”
The mood of the crowd brightened considerably.
| 2024-11-29T05:51:00 | [
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"tale"
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|
your-mind-is-a-cage | <html><body><div id="page-content">
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<p>The hardest part of the job was not to understand the impossible but to deal with impossible people.</p>
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<p>The sun rises, its rays washing over onto hills of grass, greeting Earth’s shivering side with warmth enough to last an entire winter. Millions of eyes open, and a few nocturnals tuck themselves deeper into the world's crevices. The black above turns into a violet, orange sky, slowly turning blue upon witnessing a thousand kisses of good morning and a million other lonely awakenings. And like a breath held before a scream, the world explodes into a cacophony of sounds, industrial and biological. Metal tubes soar through the skies, diplomats murmur conspiratorially, motors whine as they receive no fruits of their labor, politicians yell with a faux conviction meant to deceive, and the sky sings a silent song snuffed out by a stagnancy we call peace.</p>
<p>The sky sings, but no one bothers to listen. Soncraft was one of the few exceptions.</p>
<p>He used to be part of the majority who trudged along, the weight of daily routine bogging him down. It never occurred to him how much of his body walked on its own, whereas his mind wandered off onto anxious possibilities that had yet to be actualized.</p>
<p>Being an ambassador involves shared humility, co-learning, and the ability to let go of one’s pride. That’s what he thought. Now, he realizes his role in PSYCHE translated to being a tool for an invisible machine, its people used as cogs to run its exhausted engine. This wasn’t his dream. This was never about altruism or humanity.</p>
<p>If that was reality, he could never accept its terms. But if he learned something from his work in the GOC, he knew this reality was its playground. It thrived under this paradigm, comfortable in its skin and convinced in its own taught delusions. Underneath all of its chemical icing lies nothing but the bitter truth that history is repeating itself. Perhaps that’s why people avoid it. The lack of beauty in it—to realize humanity’s self-proclaimed ambitious existence amounted to complacency and apathy.</p>
<p>If he ever spoke out with this truth, his employers would grant him a suicide of the most pitiful degree—no funeral for his death, every ear to hear him cut off, and no change in the end: a meaningless, unfruitful, and insignificant life. It’d be like if he never spoke in the first place.</p>
<p>The hardest part of the job was not to understand the impossible but to deal with impossible people.</p>
<p>They were immovable.</p>
<p>Occasionally, he’d allow his humanity to take hold of his actions, overriding protocol and assignment. But those would only include trivial acts that were meaningless to everybody but him—being the first to address a controversial matter in a fragile setting, expressing emotion in gray and monotonous rooms meant for cold and cruel decisions, and becoming an autonomous human free from the people who played God.</p>
<p>He’d sometimes meander in his bedroom, allowing his chained mind to finally wander free in a silent, private chamber, dreaming of what he could do without these strings. Like a child, he’d gesticulate and pretend. He imagined a life where he was free, and that diplomacy wasn’t governed by a stringent system but a fluid one driven by love for the ones it lost in history—one that didn’t encourage invisible suffering but faced it off with people who had the passion of a thousand galaxies jammed into one body and a web of critical thought built by a hundred philosophers, engineers, and scientists past and present folded into one mind.</p>
<p>But in the end, he would sigh. He knew anybody who forced their way through with their ideas never truly succeeded, only in times of desperate peril, and at moments of frustration such as these, he was no better.</p>
<p>These trifles shrunk into an ant in the face of who he spoke to yesterday. <em>What</em> he spoke to.</p>
<p>He wanted to think like them, where their idea of a system is not an organized building but a cohesive vehicle.</p>
<p>There exists a wall in humanity’s mind, whether within the individual or its collective. And Soncraft only became aware of it after a conversation, and a stroll in a neighborhood to which he was a stranger to.</p>
<p>And that’s when he stopped preaching the sky’s song and actually listened to it.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="blockquote">
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<th>RECORDED INTERVIEW LOG</th>
</tr>
</table>
<p><strong>Time and Date:</strong> 0733 EST; 16/11/2010</p>
<p><strong>Preamble:</strong> PALISADE intercepted suspicious 911 calls from several civilians in Manhattan and immediately dispatched a PSYCHE Special Observer team, who subsequently requested the assistance of Assessment Team 740 “Hotline 40.” A sentient black feline entity in the alleyway near 7th and West 57th Street was captured on November 15th, 2010. Through preliminary examinations, the feline possessed an aetheric fingerprint of a Constructed Intelligence entity.</p>
<p>Under the sanctions of the ICSUT’s Faculty of Administration, the following is the subsequent interview with the feline, who requested to be regarded as Midnight, correlating with the collar tag on her neck.</p>
<hr/>
<p><em>Ambassador Soncraft enters the room with a paper lunch bag. He pauses, staring at Midnight, who pays no mind as she licks her paw, sitting upright on the interrogation table. After a stifled scoff, Soncraft sits in a chair and clears his throat. Midnight does not notice.</em></p>
<p><em>Soncraft touches his earpiece, listening intently. He rolls his eyes as he reaches into the plastic bag, opening the lid of a flat circular can.</em></p>
<p><em>Midnight immediately takes interest. She leaps down the table and onto Soncraft’s lap.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> Hey!</p>
<p><em>Soncraft stands and steps back, letting Midnight fall to the ground and keeping the can of catnip above his head.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> We made a deal.</p>
<p><em>Midnight’s head tilts.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> Are you willing to talk now?</p>
<p><em>Midnight does not respond.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> I know you can.</p>
<p><em>Midnight closes her eyes and falls limp to the ground.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> What—</p>
<p><em>Soncraft recoils violently, swinging around sharply to see what is behind. After a moment, the machine meant to function as the neural vocoder’s vocalizer shoots a spark. He turns, hand on his holster and the other still on the catnip. Midnight promptly regains consciousness and sits back up.</em></p>
<p><em>The vocalizer’s speaker turns back on.</em></p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> That’s better.</p>
<p><em>She turns to a glob of catnip that fell on the ground.</em></p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> [Sarcastically] I was promised more than this.</p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> How di—how did you change that? It’s not supposed to sound like that. <em>You</em> didn’t sound like that.</p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> I can make it seem more artificial if it gives you relief.</p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> Is that your voice?</p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> Closest thing to one.</p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> What?</p>
<p><em>The vocalizer sighs.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> See? That! How the hell—</p>
<p><em>The vocalizer blows a raspberry. Soncraft frowns and his eyelids lower.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> Really?</p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> You’re fun to mess with.</p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> This isn’t right. Constructed Intelligence can’t do this. What the hell are you?</p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> It’s no wonder you don’t know, considering you’re working for people who use Dungeons and Dragons terminology for classifications. Seriously, how do you put up with these people?</p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> Answer my question.</p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> Why don’t you just go off-script entirely?</p>
<p><em>Soncraft raises an eyebrow.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> I have no idea what you are talking about.</p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> Ah, and there it is. An answer recited before. They really have ripped your imagination away.</p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> This isn’t right. You—</p>
</div>
<p>Before Soncraft could finish his sentence, he was abruptly pulled into an expanse. Perhaps “pulled into” wasn’t the correct term. Shunted into? Materialized? There was no transitory period in which he was in the room and out of it, only the matter of fact pushed into his face, like a gust of wind ambushing him without warning. And that mix of alienation and familiarity tugged at his stomach, and he felt his brain expand beyond what was contained within his skull.</p>
<p>He screamed for a second. Or he tried to. He didn’t have a mouth anymore. A moment of useless flailing with his non-existent limbs passed, and he finally calmed down, perhaps after about five minutes. Ten? Unlike the setting, time felt entirely alien.</p>
<p>“The easiest analogy for you is how an animal gets confused when put in a cage,” a voice whispered into his head. His reflexes worked just fine, but he had no body to revolt in. “Their memories aren’t entirely complete, only inferences from the limited observations they had.”</p>
<p>“Where am I?” he asked. No words escaped, only thoughts.</p>
<p>And they were reciprocated. “‘Where’ isn’t a concept here,” the voice said monotonously.</p>
<p>Soncraft delved through pages of emergency contingency responses to various different paranormal situations, all memorized like a mantra in his head. He searched, thinking, pretending that his brows were furrowed deep in thought, praying he could find a solution to—</p>
<p>“Are you that unimaginative?”</p>
<p>He stopped. He didn’t know why.</p>
<p>“Oh, you know why. You just don’t want to acknowledge why. There’s a difference.”</p>
<p>“What the fuck are you?”</p>
<p>“You wouldn’t understand.”</p>
<p>“I’ve been told that plenty of times.”</p>
<p>There was a pause. Soncraft could only imagine that the voice was contemplating.</p>
<p>“It’s Midnight. I thought I already told you I didn’t have a voice. And yes, I am indeed contemplating.”</p>
<p>“Jesus fucking Christ. How are you doing that?”</p>
<p>“I don’t know if explaining anything to you would make a difference. This has happened before, millions of times.”</p>
<p>There was a sigh before the voice continued, “But there is no harm in trying again. Have you ever wondered what the mind’s soul and physical body combined would be?” Midnight asked, ignoring Soncraft. “Ah, tut tut, it isn’t a brain because there would still be a distinction between the body and mind: a vessel containing the thoughts within. But what happens when you weld those two concepts together? Maybe to make this easier, imagine a cup of water. What would happen if the inextricable spirit—the water—is combined with the tangible cup?”</p>
<p>Soncraft’s first reaction was utter confusion. He stayed confused, waiting rather than thinking—waiting for Midnight to interrupt and reply to his thoughts.</p>
<p>“If you tried hard enough, you’d be able to know mine as I know yours.”</p>
<p>A mind combined into a body? Would it not be a human?</p>
<p>“No, because you still have that distinction between mind and body.”</p>
<p>But wouldn’t that make something invisible visible? And something visible invisible?</p>
<p>“Correct.”</p>
<p>It was impossible for him to imagine such a thing. There were only two definitive states: existent and non-existent.</p>
<p>“Your species clearly have not understood anything yet, then,” Midnight gibed.</p>
<p>“Can you stop that?”</p>
<p>“There is no difference between ‘talking’ and ‘thinking’ here. What you hear is simply the thoughts I permit. You, however, are entirely composed of naked thoughts.”</p>
<p>But that didn’t make sense. What point is it to ponder then? Can you hear me still?</p>
<p>“Is that a rhetorical question?”</p>
<p>What are you? Who are you? What do you mean by mind and body combined?</p>
<p>“I’ve already explained what I am. I doubt it’s possible to explain it to you. Of course, I don’t want to degrade you as inferior; that is not my intention. Psychology for your species is still a very, very young science, after all. And you are only now beginning to understand plagues of the mind.”</p>
<p>Plagues of the mind?</p>
<p>“Mental illness. That is not my point. Psychology. The networking of the organ in your head. The symbiosis shared between your body and mind, how you can die of heartbreak, how a phantom sensation prickles your skin upon worry, and how your body seems to move without your command, either during those times of pure boredom and grayness or the episodes of rebellion against the will of your ‘employers.’ I would even say the word ‘psychology’ limits the true extent of the field it entails. Philosophy, ethics, thought. These are the principles I use to formulate my own thoughts. You struggle with what is right or wrong—what is objective or subjective. Meanwhile, the answers to those impossible questions are the <em>foundation</em> for the thought process of my ‘species,’ as you would call us. Your curiosity will have no bounds. You can ask any question in any form, in any syntax, in how many permutations of words, but you will not get a comprehensible answer. That can only be attained by you, not me.”</p>
<p>This is way beyond what I am qualified for.</p>
<p>“Really?” the voice said disappointedly. “You worry about that now?”</p>
<p>Yes. Yes, I am. What? Surely you won’t fail to understand my apprehension?</p>
<p>“Your hesitation now is your organization’s influence extended upon you: the feeling of being inferior, of not fully understanding a context, and simply not being ‘qualified.’” He felt something lean forward to him. “I assure you, everybody is qualified to think. For you, one of the few ways someone may feel they are not is if it is imposed by other people. For others, they forget to walk before they run.” Midnight retracted.</p>
<p>Then what is the point of this? Why am I here? To insult my species’ inability to “understand?” Because I assure you, that wouldn’t be the first time I’d hear it.</p>
<p>Again, he felt Midnight lean even closer to him. “I want to see if your people can exceed the wall in your head. To break free from that little skull and meld it into something one with your thoughts. But of course, your mind will forever be a cage if you constantly drivel about the same anxieties. And unfortunately, your biology is flawed in that regard, capable of adapting to the environment but not quite malleable to thought—society, order, and principle. You can make sense of it, yet, you can’t quite master it, and the only ones who have done it are weapons of war.”</p>
<p>So, we are your experiment. Then why make our minds and bodies distinct in the first place?</p>
<p>“Replicating my species is as difficult as it is for your species to replicate yours: only emulations, completely impossible. We can only provide the fundamentals, but not concepts that’d make you unstable.”</p>
<p>If you’re trying not to call us inferior, you’re doing a terrible job.</p>
<p>“That is your own interpretation, which is precisely one of the reasons why your mind is still a cage. Think, Hendricks. You lived a dream. It was a pure dream: to achieve peace. It is a noble idea; some would call it self-righteous, but I would call it the pursuit to exceed, because peace will never be etched into reality: for it to have longevity, there must be adaptability. But what blocks you is the blind obedience to authority, to entrust an obfuscated process you don’t even fully understand, and you allow it to handle precarious matters. Worst of all, you forget what you were fighting for in the first place.”</p>
<p>There’s a sting in the heart.</p>
<p>“That’s right. Remember. You dance alone in your room, not because you are bored like you were with your role, but because you wanted to live in that dream, where you allowed the love of your heart and the logic of your mind to drive you forward with a vigor that could encapsulate the entire world. No, not to speak to deceive, but to touch peoples’ hearts. Tell me, Hendricks, when will your dance rehearsal become a performance?</p>
<p>“Order is essential. There must be rules. It is the bones of your framework. But there is a difference between oppression and order.</p>
<p>“I have constructed hundreds of thousands of repetitions. A lifetime to you is a second for me, and I wish you could spend your life with the longevity of mine—to crush years of knowledge to you into mere seconds to me.</p>
<p>“But everything I make, every version of you designed to liberate you, becomes a cage. And you suffer. But still. This… <em>this,</em> my friend, is the closest you have come to reaching me. Of all the thousands to me and millions to you, here we are, speaking in one… place, as you call it. You are so close to seeing my thoughts as I see yours.</p>
<p>“But in this project, you’re not there yet. None of your people will. But that is no excuse to throw this imperfect existence away.</p>
<p>“Act with that pure conviction from that dream you’ve had. Stop yourself when you see yourself move too far ahead of your mind. Grab this institution by the neck and beg them this question for eternity: ‘When will you begin to control us all?’ And when you can finally touch the cage of your mind, maybe you can open it in some miracle.”</p>
<p>Hendricks laid as a blanket of matter. He thought about his colleagues’ blind cynicism, unknowingly perpetuating cruelty without imagination, and the complete extinction of love for not just humanity but Life. Where have they begun to stray? Perhaps from the ashes of the Seventh Occult War, erected out of the corpses that gave their lives, entrusting their successors would learn. But no, everything persisted, just through an invisible lens.</p>
<p>“Precisely.”</p>
<p>All of the past travesties humanity has faced are believed to be gone. But that is because they live in a time when truth can be controlled, and the narrative for the course of life is finally controllable by mortal minds. It was as if the contents within the cage became the cage itself. And what resulted was a fact that could not be changed because of its nature.</p>
<p>“And that is the antithesis.”</p>
<p>Change is an inevitable part of all concepts. And to rely on one all-encompassing behavior, stagnant and dogmatic in one belief fervently forever, we will never learn. With every effect tied to a cause, there is truth, but it will forever be imprisoned by the cage of your mind if you compromise and become a tool, or if you run too far ahead of logic, maddened by your own ideas, you become another mistake in history where you treat opinions as laws.</p>
<p>Remember, peace is only one impossible concept of many, and for your body, it requires trillions of sacrifices. They will downplay you, contort your meaning into treason, and banish you. But when they threaten you, know that it isn’t you who was scared first, but them. Because what threatens them is change.</p>
<p>And you are only one sacrifice. A single one of your mind is not enough to crack this code.</p>
<p>And you are deceptive. Others will trick you for your seemingly blind demeanor, so you must hone some level of perception, but that perception should never take away your compassion for others, as the deceptive few do not make the whole.</p>
<p>And you are self-entitled. No matter how stoic you may attempt to be, your emotions will always play a role, and they cannot be ignored, as that is what gives you meaning.</p>
<p>And you are temporary. And that existentialist fragility plays a crucial, constant reminder that you have only so much time to do nothing before you are forced to do something.</p>
<p>And you are in pain. But it is suffering that enables you to differentiate between love and hate, as all ideas revolve around a balance between two extremes.</p>
<p>And remember, whenever you think you or another person is right, stop and consider every other possibility, because the truth is, there is never a right or wrong answer; it is what you make of it. Today's right may be the wrong of tomorrow, and yesterday's wrong may be the right of today, and vice versa.</p>
<p>And when people chain you down to one definitive, exclusive answer, remember the value of change.</p>
<p>Remember who you’re doing this for, and never let go of what you lost.</p>
<p>I look forward to seeing you dance outside of your room.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<p><em>Soncraft, after a brief pause, repulses violently for a split second. After recovering, he waves at the mirror glass with a sign indicating that he is okay. He puts the catnip back into his pocket.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> [Sighs] Nevermind your voice. But before we get started…</p>
<p><em>Soncraft pulls the chair in and sits.</em></p>
<p><strong>Soncraft:</strong> In Manhattan, you were spotted inside the Carnegie Hall building and by security cameras, watching from a podium next to other spectators during an orchestral performance. Would you like music such as that?</p>
<p><strong>Midnight:</strong> That’s more like it. Sibelius, Violin Concerto in D Minor.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Yeah, Soncraft asked a few questions off-script with what he felt was “right.” Perhaps they were inappropriate, and the logic behind what compelled him to think it’d be acceptable was a bit short-sighted. But at that moment, as massive defiance in the face of his superiors, of which he is likely to be berated more severely compared to his previous rebellions, a door opened because he acted with the ambition of a human’s concern for life. There are many more to follow, if not most of those doors he constructed, but a step forward was one nonetheless.</p>
<p>He tried to verbalize what happened between him and Midnight. But he couldn’t articulate it in any known form of expression. It burned into his memories, and for an odd reason, he could touch them. But as he did, he made a silent promise, even if his life may become invisible to many, to at least pass this knowledge off to someone. Anyone. And that could only be done through his actions.</p>
<p>That was the dream.</p>
<p>He didn’t know if it was self-righteousness, short-lived motivation, or shock; whichever it was, he swore to remember this promise even in times of boredom.</p>
<p>Walking down the sidewalk of a neighborhood 10 miles Southeast of downtown Manhattan, Soncraft watched the sun slowly crawl underneath the horizon hidden behind suburban houses. The sky would slowly turn from a constant bright blue color into a state of luminescent limbo as if a lightbulb was on <em>and</em> off.</p>
<p>He listened as the sky suddenly began to sing.</p>
<p>A squirrel caught his attention, holding onto some object in its hand in the middle of the sidewalk. It scurried away when he started nearing it, crawling up a white oak tree toward safety despite Soncraft’s intention not to harm it.</p>
<p>Whatever Midnight was, they were the next step above human sentience.</p>
<p>There exists a wall in humanity's mind. And Hendricks’ account—any human account or explanation of what he witnessed would not do Midnight justice, for our minds are encaged.</p>
<p>Hendricks was the squirrel, and Midnight was marching forward.</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
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<p>"<a href="/your-mind-is-a-cage">Your Mind is a Cage</a>" by Calico, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/your-mind-is-a-cage">https://scpwiki.com/your-mind-is-a-cage</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Filename:</strong> GOC Logo<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/navla" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5817542); return false;"><img alt="Navla" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5817542&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043718" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5817542)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/navla" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5817542); return false;">Navla</a></span><br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY SA 3.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork</a></p>
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<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> MindCage.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Phil Dolby<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY 2.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manhattan_Gold_(16894929692).jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manhattan_Gold_(16894929692).jpg</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> midnight.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Keesscherer<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY 4.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Andromeda-Galaxy_in_a_crowded_sky.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Andromeda-Galaxy_in_a_crowded_sky.jpg</a></p>
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The hardest part of the job was not to understand the impossible but to deal with impossible people.
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The sun rises, its rays washing over onto hills of grass, greeting Earth’s shivering side with warmth enough to last an entire winter. Millions of eyes open, and a few nocturnals tuck themselves deeper into the world's crevices. The black above turns into a violet, orange sky, slowly turning blue upon witnessing a thousand kisses of good morning and a million other lonely awakenings. And like a breath held before a scream, the world explodes into a cacophony of sounds, industrial and biological. Metal tubes soar through the skies, diplomats murmur conspiratorially, motors whine as they receive no fruits of their labor, politicians yell with a faux conviction meant to deceive, and the sky sings a silent song snuffed out by a stagnancy we call peace.
The sky sings, but no one bothers to listen. Soncraft was one of the few exceptions.
He used to be part of the majority who trudged along, the weight of daily routine bogging him down. It never occurred to him how much of his body walked on its own, whereas his mind wandered off onto anxious possibilities that had yet to be actualized.
Being an ambassador involves shared humility, co-learning, and the ability to let go of one’s pride. That’s what he thought. Now, he realizes his role in PSYCHE translated to being a tool for an invisible machine, its people used as cogs to run its exhausted engine. This wasn’t his dream. This was never about altruism or humanity.
If that was reality, he could never accept its terms. But if he learned something from his work in the GOC, he knew this reality was its playground. It thrived under this paradigm, comfortable in its skin and convinced in its own taught delusions. Underneath all of its chemical icing lies nothing but the bitter truth that history is repeating itself. Perhaps that’s why people avoid it. The lack of beauty in it—to realize humanity’s self-proclaimed ambitious existence amounted to complacency and apathy.
If he ever spoke out with this truth, his employers would grant him a suicide of the most pitiful degree—no funeral for his death, every ear to hear him cut off, and no change in the end: a meaningless, unfruitful, and insignificant life. It’d be like if he never spoke in the first place.
The hardest part of the job was not to understand the impossible but to deal with impossible people.
They were immovable.
Occasionally, he’d allow his humanity to take hold of his actions, overriding protocol and assignment. But those would only include trivial acts that were meaningless to everybody but him—being the first to address a controversial matter in a fragile setting, expressing emotion in gray and monotonous rooms meant for cold and cruel decisions, and becoming an autonomous human free from the people who played God.
He’d sometimes meander in his bedroom, allowing his chained mind to finally wander free in a silent, private chamber, dreaming of what he could do without these strings. Like a child, he’d gesticulate and pretend. He imagined a life where he was free, and that diplomacy wasn’t governed by a stringent system but a fluid one driven by love for the ones it lost in history—one that didn’t encourage invisible suffering but faced it off with people who had the passion of a thousand galaxies jammed into one body and a web of critical thought built by a hundred philosophers, engineers, and scientists past and present folded into one mind.
But in the end, he would sigh. He knew anybody who forced their way through with their ideas never truly succeeded, only in times of desperate peril, and at moments of frustration such as these, he was no better.
These trifles shrunk into an ant in the face of who he spoke to yesterday. //What// he spoke to.
He wanted to think like them, where their idea of a system is not an organized building but a cohesive vehicle.
There exists a wall in humanity’s mind, whether within the individual or its collective. And Soncraft only became aware of it after a conversation, and a stroll in a neighborhood to which he was a stranger to.
And that’s when he stopped preaching the sky’s song and actually listened to it.
-----
[[div class="blockquote"]]
||~ RECORDED INTERVIEW LOG||
**Time and Date:** 0733 EST; 16/11/2010
**Preamble:** PALISADE intercepted suspicious 911 calls from several civilians in Manhattan and immediately dispatched a PSYCHE Special Observer team, who subsequently requested the assistance of Assessment Team 740 “Hotline 40.” A sentient black feline entity in the alleyway near 7th and West 57th Street was captured on November 15th, 2010. Through preliminary examinations, the feline possessed an aetheric fingerprint of a Constructed Intelligence entity.
Under the sanctions of the ICSUT’s Faculty of Administration, the following is the subsequent interview with the feline, who requested to be regarded as Midnight, correlating with the collar tag on her neck.
------
//Ambassador Soncraft enters the room with a paper lunch bag. He pauses, staring at Midnight, who pays no mind as she licks her paw, sitting upright on the interrogation table. After a stifled scoff, Soncraft sits in a chair and clears his throat. Midnight does not notice.//
//Soncraft touches his earpiece, listening intently. He rolls his eyes as he reaches into the plastic bag, opening the lid of a flat circular can.//
//Midnight immediately takes interest. She leaps down the table and onto Soncraft’s lap.//
**Soncraft:** Hey!
//Soncraft stands and steps back, letting Midnight fall to the ground and keeping the can of catnip above his head.//
**Soncraft:** We made a deal.
//Midnight’s head tilts.//
**Soncraft:** Are you willing to talk now?
//Midnight does not respond.//
**Soncraft:** I know you can.
//Midnight closes her eyes and falls limp to the ground.//
**Soncraft:** What—
//Soncraft recoils violently, swinging around sharply to see what is behind. After a moment, the machine meant to function as the neural vocoder’s vocalizer shoots a spark. He turns, hand on his holster and the other still on the catnip. Midnight promptly regains consciousness and sits back up.//
//The vocalizer’s speaker turns back on.//
**Midnight:** That’s better.
//She turns to a glob of catnip that fell on the ground.//
**Midnight:** [Sarcastically] I was promised more than this.
**Soncraft:** How di—how did you change that? It’s not supposed to sound like that. //You// didn’t sound like that.
**Midnight:** I can make it seem more artificial if it gives you relief.
**Soncraft:** Is that your voice?
**Midnight:** Closest thing to one.
**Soncraft:** What?
//The vocalizer sighs.//
**Soncraft:** See? That! How the hell—
//The vocalizer blows a raspberry. Soncraft frowns and his eyelids lower.//
**Soncraft:** Really?
**Midnight:** You’re fun to mess with.
**Soncraft:** This isn’t right. Constructed Intelligence can’t do this. What the hell are you?
**Midnight:** It’s no wonder you don’t know, considering you’re working for people who use Dungeons and Dragons terminology for classifications. Seriously, how do you put up with these people?
**Soncraft:** Answer my question.
**Midnight:** Why don’t you just go off-script entirely?
//Soncraft raises an eyebrow.//
**Soncraft:** I have no idea what you are talking about.
**Midnight:** Ah, and there it is. An answer recited before. They really have ripped your imagination away.
**Soncraft:** This isn’t right. You—
[[/div]]
Before Soncraft could finish his sentence, he was abruptly pulled into an expanse. Perhaps “pulled into” wasn’t the correct term. Shunted into? Materialized? There was no transitory period in which he was in the room and out of it, only the matter of fact pushed into his face, like a gust of wind ambushing him without warning. And that mix of alienation and familiarity tugged at his stomach, and he felt his brain expand beyond what was contained within his skull.
He screamed for a second. Or he tried to. He didn’t have a mouth anymore. A moment of useless flailing with his non-existent limbs passed, and he finally calmed down, perhaps after about five minutes. Ten? Unlike the setting, time felt entirely alien.
“The easiest analogy for you is how an animal gets confused when put in a cage,” a voice whispered into his head. His reflexes worked just fine, but he had no body to revolt in. “Their memories aren’t entirely complete, only inferences from the limited observations they had.”
“Where am I?” he asked. No words escaped, only thoughts.
And they were reciprocated. “‘Where’ isn’t a concept here,” the voice said monotonously.
Soncraft delved through pages of emergency contingency responses to various different paranormal situations, all memorized like a mantra in his head. He searched, thinking, pretending that his brows were furrowed deep in thought, praying he could find a solution to—
“Are you that unimaginative?”
He stopped. He didn’t know why.
“Oh, you know why. You just don’t want to acknowledge why. There’s a difference.”
“What the fuck are you?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“I’ve been told that plenty of times.”
There was a pause. Soncraft could only imagine that the voice was contemplating.
“It’s Midnight. I thought I already told you I didn’t have a voice. And yes, I am indeed contemplating.”
“Jesus fucking Christ. How are you doing that?”
“I don’t know if explaining anything to you would make a difference. This has happened before, millions of times.”
There was a sigh before the voice continued, “But there is no harm in trying again. Have you ever wondered what the mind’s soul and physical body combined would be?” Midnight asked, ignoring Soncraft. “Ah, tut tut, it isn’t a brain because there would still be a distinction between the body and mind: a vessel containing the thoughts within. But what happens when you weld those two concepts together? Maybe to make this easier, imagine a cup of water. What would happen if the inextricable spirit—the water—is combined with the tangible cup?”
Soncraft’s first reaction was utter confusion. He stayed confused, waiting rather than thinking—waiting for Midnight to interrupt and reply to his thoughts.
“If you tried hard enough, you’d be able to know mine as I know yours.”
A mind combined into a body? Would it not be a human?
“No, because you still have that distinction between mind and body.”
But wouldn’t that make something invisible visible? And something visible invisible?
“Correct.”
It was impossible for him to imagine such a thing. There were only two definitive states: existent and non-existent.
“Your species clearly have not understood anything yet, then,” Midnight gibed.
“Can you stop that?”
“There is no difference between ‘talking’ and ‘thinking’ here. What you hear is simply the thoughts I permit. You, however, are entirely composed of naked thoughts.”
But that didn’t make sense. What point is it to ponder then? Can you hear me still?
“Is that a rhetorical question?”
What are you? Who are you? What do you mean by mind and body combined?
“I’ve already explained what I am. I doubt it’s possible to explain it to you. Of course, I don’t want to degrade you as inferior; that is not my intention. Psychology for your species is still a very, very young science, after all. And you are only now beginning to understand plagues of the mind.”
Plagues of the mind?
“Mental illness. That is not my point. Psychology. The networking of the organ in your head. The symbiosis shared between your body and mind, how you can die of heartbreak, how a phantom sensation prickles your skin upon worry, and how your body seems to move without your command, either during those times of pure boredom and grayness or the episodes of rebellion against the will of your ‘employers.’ I would even say the word ‘psychology’ limits the true extent of the field it entails. Philosophy, ethics, thought. These are the principles I use to formulate my own thoughts. You struggle with what is right or wrong—what is objective or subjective. Meanwhile, the answers to those impossible questions are the //foundation// for the thought process of my ‘species,’ as you would call us. Your curiosity will have no bounds. You can ask any question in any form, in any syntax, in how many permutations of words, but you will not get a comprehensible answer. That can only be attained by you, not me.”
This is way beyond what I am qualified for.
“Really?” the voice said disappointedly. “You worry about that now?”
Yes. Yes, I am. What? Surely you won’t fail to understand my apprehension?
“Your hesitation now is your organization’s influence extended upon you: the feeling of being inferior, of not fully understanding a context, and simply not being ‘qualified.’” He felt something lean forward to him. “I assure you, everybody is qualified to think. For you, one of the few ways someone may feel they are not is if it is imposed by other people. For others, they forget to walk before they run.” Midnight retracted.
Then what is the point of this? Why am I here? To insult my species’ inability to “understand?” Because I assure you, that wouldn’t be the first time I’d hear it.
Again, he felt Midnight lean even closer to him. “I want to see if your people can exceed the wall in your head. To break free from that little skull and meld it into something one with your thoughts. But of course, your mind will forever be a cage if you constantly drivel about the same anxieties. And unfortunately, your biology is flawed in that regard, capable of adapting to the environment but not quite malleable to thought—society, order, and principle. You can make sense of it, yet, you can’t quite master it, and the only ones who have done it are weapons of war.”
So, we are your experiment. Then why make our minds and bodies distinct in the first place?
“Replicating my species is as difficult as it is for your species to replicate yours: only emulations, completely impossible. We can only provide the fundamentals, but not concepts that’d make you unstable.”
If you’re trying not to call us inferior, you’re doing a terrible job.
“That is your own interpretation, which is precisely one of the reasons why your mind is still a cage. Think, Hendricks. You lived a dream. It was a pure dream: to achieve peace. It is a noble idea; some would call it self-righteous, but I would call it the pursuit to exceed, because peace will never be etched into reality: for it to have longevity, there must be adaptability. But what blocks you is the blind obedience to authority, to entrust an obfuscated process you don’t even fully understand, and you allow it to handle precarious matters. Worst of all, you forget what you were fighting for in the first place.”
There’s a sting in the heart.
“That’s right. Remember. You dance alone in your room, not because you are bored like you were with your role, but because you wanted to live in that dream, where you allowed the love of your heart and the logic of your mind to drive you forward with a vigor that could encapsulate the entire world. No, not to speak to deceive, but to touch peoples’ hearts. Tell me, Hendricks, when will your dance rehearsal become a performance?
“Order is essential. There must be rules. It is the bones of your framework. But there is a difference between oppression and order.
“I have constructed hundreds of thousands of repetitions. A lifetime to you is a second for me, and I wish you could spend your life with the longevity of mine—to crush years of knowledge to you into mere seconds to me.
“But everything I make, every version of you designed to liberate you, becomes a cage. And you suffer. But still. This... //this,// my friend, is the closest you have come to reaching me. Of all the thousands to me and millions to you, here we are, speaking in one... place, as you call it. You are so close to seeing my thoughts as I see yours.
“But in this project, you’re not there yet. None of your people will. But that is no excuse to throw this imperfect existence away.
“Act with that pure conviction from that dream you’ve had. Stop yourself when you see yourself move too far ahead of your mind. Grab this institution by the neck and beg them this question for eternity: ‘When will you begin to control us all?’ And when you can finally touch the cage of your mind, maybe you can open it in some miracle.”
Hendricks laid as a blanket of matter. He thought about his colleagues’ blind cynicism, unknowingly perpetuating cruelty without imagination, and the complete extinction of love for not just humanity but Life. Where have they begun to stray? Perhaps from the ashes of the Seventh Occult War, erected out of the corpses that gave their lives, entrusting their successors would learn. But no, everything persisted, just through an invisible lens.
“Precisely.”
All of the past travesties humanity has faced are believed to be gone. But that is because they live in a time when truth can be controlled, and the narrative for the course of life is finally controllable by mortal minds. It was as if the contents within the cage became the cage itself. And what resulted was a fact that could not be changed because of its nature.
“And that is the antithesis.”
Change is an inevitable part of all concepts. And to rely on one all-encompassing behavior, stagnant and dogmatic in one belief fervently forever, we will never learn. With every effect tied to a cause, there is truth, but it will forever be imprisoned by the cage of your mind if you compromise and become a tool, or if you run too far ahead of logic, maddened by your own ideas, you become another mistake in history where you treat opinions as laws.
Remember, peace is only one impossible concept of many, and for your body, it requires trillions of sacrifices. They will downplay you, contort your meaning into treason, and banish you. But when they threaten you, know that it isn’t you who was scared first, but them. Because what threatens them is change.
And you are only one sacrifice. A single one of your mind is not enough to crack this code.
And you are deceptive. Others will trick you for your seemingly blind demeanor, so you must hone some level of perception, but that perception should never take away your compassion for others, as the deceptive few do not make the whole.
And you are self-entitled. No matter how stoic you may attempt to be, your emotions will always play a role, and they cannot be ignored, as that is what gives you meaning.
And you are temporary. And that existentialist fragility plays a crucial, constant reminder that you have only so much time to do nothing before you are forced to do something.
And you are in pain. But it is suffering that enables you to differentiate between love and hate, as all ideas revolve around a balance between two extremes.
And remember, whenever you think you or another person is right, stop and consider every other possibility, because the truth is, there is never a right or wrong answer; it is what you make of it. Today's right may be the wrong of tomorrow, and yesterday's wrong may be the right of today, and vice versa.
And when people chain you down to one definitive, exclusive answer, remember the value of change.
Remember who you’re doing this for, and never let go of what you lost.
[[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/your-mind-is-a-cage/midnight.png size=500%]]
I look forward to seeing you dance outside of your room.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
//Soncraft, after a brief pause, repulses violently for a split second. After recovering, he waves at the mirror glass with a sign indicating that he is okay. He puts the catnip back into his pocket.//
**Soncraft:** [Sighs] Nevermind your voice. But before we get started...
//Soncraft pulls the chair in and sits.//
**Soncraft:** In Manhattan, you were spotted inside the Carnegie Hall building and by security cameras, watching from a podium next to other spectators during an orchestral performance. Would you like music such as that?
**Midnight:** That’s more like it. Sibelius, Violin Concerto in D Minor.
[[/div]]
-----
Yeah, Soncraft asked a few questions off-script with what he felt was “right.” Perhaps they were inappropriate, and the logic behind what compelled him to think it’d be acceptable was a bit short-sighted. But at that moment, as massive defiance in the face of his superiors, of which he is likely to be berated more severely compared to his previous rebellions, a door opened because he acted with the ambition of a human’s concern for life. There are many more to follow, if not most of those doors he constructed, but a step forward was one nonetheless.
He tried to verbalize what happened between him and Midnight. But he couldn’t articulate it in any known form of expression. It burned into his memories, and for an odd reason, he could touch them. But as he did, he made a silent promise, even if his life may become invisible to many, to at least pass this knowledge off to someone. Anyone. And that could only be done through his actions.
That was the dream.
He didn’t know if it was self-righteousness, short-lived motivation, or shock; whichever it was, he swore to remember this promise even in times of boredom.
Walking down the sidewalk of a neighborhood 10 miles Southeast of downtown Manhattan, Soncraft watched the sun slowly crawl underneath the horizon hidden behind suburban houses. The sky would slowly turn from a constant bright blue color into a state of luminescent limbo as if a lightbulb was on //and// off.
He listened as the sky suddenly began to sing.
A squirrel caught his attention, holding onto some object in its hand in the middle of the sidewalk. It scurried away when he started nearing it, crawling up a white oak tree toward safety despite Soncraft’s intention not to harm it.
Whatever Midnight was, they were the next step above human sentience.
There exists a wall in humanity's mind. And Hendricks’ account—any human account or explanation of what he witnessed would not do Midnight justice, for our minds are encaged.
Hendricks was the squirrel, and Midnight was marching forward.
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<p>To most, Skitter Marshall is a fool.</p>
<p>In the ranks of Marshall, Carter & Dark, he stands as the least important of those who lead the purple-spangled banners towards ever greater glory. With Iris Dark as the empress and Robert Carter as her right hand, Skitter is little more than a court jester — an attraction for all those who dare request audience with Robert, in hopes of getting through to Iris. He bears no strength and shines with no particular wit, in spite of his late father's lessons and teachings. As one of the Senior Partners to the Company, he holds immense wealth, but lives under that mantle more out of accidental kindness than any actual skill in the field of economics. He is where he is only because, at the time of Amos Marshall's untimely passing, there were no older legitimate children of House Carter to inherit the immeasurable wealth.</p>
<p>He is well aware of this all, of course. He knows he is a pup thrown into the cage of lions, an unprepared coward crowned as one of the three lords of an unforgiving economic battlefield. But he is also aware that he doesn't <em>need</em> to be anything else; with Iris keeping everyone else in rank and Robert carrying out her orders, all Skitter needs to do to win is just sit with the rest of the players and let them move their pawns. He might get laughed at by those who don't know better, but in the end, he will partake in the spoils of war alongside his battle-worn brethren anyway.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Tonight, Skitter has only one job: to look imposing.</p>
<p>Even considering his questionable physique, it shouldn't be that much of an issue; he's the owner of the single largest wardrobe out of anyone who has ever lived. Other members of the one-percenter's one percent may waste their wealth on trivial things such as stocks or companies, but he knows what's best for <em>his</em> part of the trillion dollar fortune, and he's made great use of it. Almost one tenth of his family's seat at the House of Marshall in Esterberg is dedicated to his collection of beauty from every corner of the world, and sometimes from far beyond. It's a wardrobe many would kill for — and one many have indeed already died for.</p>
<p>Not all of the House is just a fancy storehouse, of course. Most of it consists of silly business such as the offices of companies registered under the shared wealth of the Marshall family, fancy meeting halls, private restaurants, and luxurious locales the likes of which only belonged to gods and kings, for most of history. But on the top floor of the imposing brick, steel, and concrete building lies the real treasure: Skitter Marshall's private apartment. With one half of it dedicated to his darkened bedroom, gold-laid bathrooms, and living room covered in the hides of animals long since extinct and the other half to his collection, he's fairly certain that that floor alone could count as a whole villa in the eyes of the public.</p>
<p>He, for one, certainly wouldn't exchange it for anything else. Indeed, tonight, he is intent on using it to the best of his abilities. He will not fail the task he was given.</p>
<p>Within just an hour of waking up, he does his usual exercises and washes himself in a shower larger than some apartments. He does his skincare routine, combs his dark shoulder-length, curly hair, and takes care of his pathetic attempt at a mustache. When that's done, he eats what his private Michelin star chefs have prepared for him, and opens the doors to his real treasury.</p>
<p>He spends the next hour browsing between all the wardrobe has to offer. He has to make damned sure everything's as good as it can possibly be, today; there's absolutely no room for error.</p>
<p>After some more time comparing, trying, and cleaning, he decides that hats are too ridiculous and suits far too boring. He therefore settles on a proper dark green coat woven from the fleece of Druv'tuulian mole-sheep, stylized alongside a white shirt, beige pants, and brown shoes made from Droganian dragonhide leather — all reinforced with appropriate thaumic protective runes, of course. He finishes his piece with some old seal rings that have once belonged to his father, all smithed from Yeren blacksteel, and his signature cane, decorated with the House Marshall bloodhound insignia. (He doesn't actually need it for anything — he just considers it a fine symbol of power to make his image even more timeless.)</p>
<p>Had this been a different day, he would have put on some earrings, too — but tonight, he doesn't want to invoke any sympathy or weakness. He wants to be seen as someone so far out of the other's league that he almost maybe imposes some shade of authority.</p>
<p>When all is done, Skitter takes a step back, and looks in the mirror.</p>
<p>As always, he looks great.</p>
<p>He takes a deep breath, stops with the nervous smile, and puts on his best passive-aggressive face.</p>
<p>Without further hesitation, he calls the elevator meant to transport him to his personal office, and readies for the one thing he's dreaded for months at this point: to be the more privileged part of a job interview.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Come to think of it, Skitter Marshall is more of a parasite than any actual jester. Jesters get where they are because of what they can do — or, perhaps, what they were unable to do when they were born. Skitter meanwhile just leeches off of the great vaults Iris and Robert fill with more and more blood money. He's here because it's so much easier to maintain this charade than to get rid of him. Before Iris made her power concrete, it was Skitter's heritage that gave her the greatest fortune this planet has ever seen. Besides, by that time, she's already taken care of two other Partners too eager in their climb up the social ladder. So to Iris, having a fool who's only interested in like minded girls, wine, and a good time is an alternative far better than growing potential enemies at home. Especially when, just like Skitter, that fool fears you — and knows that without you, he is nothing.</p>
<p>But no, "parasite" isn't quite right, either; parasites only take and take and take, preying upon those unfortunate enough to be their hosts and bringing them into inevitable demise. Skitter's existence is not of detriment to the Company, in spite of what independent outside specialists may claim. Though he's a pathetic moron, he brings to the table what no other of his fellow Partners can, in spite of their talents: the illusion of safety. He's a third wheel in what would otherwise be a duo, a shadow of stability that makes a partnership into a proper and truly iconic company, in the eyes of the public.</p>
<hr/>
<p>She's already waiting for him when he emerges from the elevator.</p>
<p>His personal office is a small, brutalist room, one not larger than maybe twelve square meters. Its walls are made of concrete, and the only decoration inside is his wooden desk with two chairs on opposite sides, placed directly in the middle of the office. Nothing hangs on the walls of the ceiling, barring a single, white fluorescent light.</p>
<p>If he hadn't ordered it cleaned yesterday, his newcomer would almost certainly see it filled with dust. The room, aimed at serious work for serious adults, doesn't see much use. With the exception of the occasional drink or wild night with a partner, Skitter doesn't enter it, ever. It's more of a symbol than any real office.</p>
<p>Except for tonight, of course.</p>
<p>He doesn't want to do this, but he's got no choice. He needs a right hand, someone who'll help him make his task — being the face of the company — less of a chore. He isn't particularly keen on actually interviewing this woman — especially since all of his go-to experts have already recommended her more than enough — but he isn't keen on being alone with his work even more.</p>
<p>So as not to postpone further, he clears his throat and sits down, trying his very best to remain in his face and posture. Though he's lanky, his height makes looking down on people even easier than it normally would. He hopes it'll be enough.</p>
<p>Before him sits Malory Taylor. She's a tall woman, somewhere maybe in her early forties. She's wearing a gray suit — it pairs with her tied up, graying hair. Her face is unreadable, and her hands are put together on her desk. She's looking right at him, total neutrality present in those gray eyes. Skitter can see her briefcase right next to the concrete chair; her resume folder has already been placed upon his desk.</p>
<p>He must say she's dealing quite well with his hostile interior. Much better than anyone that has sat there before her did, at the very least.</p>
<p>"So, Taylor," he begins, also putting his hands together. "I see you've made it."</p>
<p>"Yes, sir," she replies almost automatically. There are no emotions in her tone.</p>
<p>Skitter resists the urge to narrow his eyes; instead, he just picks up the folder and begins browsing through it, pretending he's seeing it for the first time. Pretending that he hasn't studied this person extensively for many weeks beforehand.</p>
<p>"Six years as CEO of Void. Eight more as the head of HR and Media for Marshall Drafts." He pretend-browses some more, trying to ascertain her reaction. None comes. "Well. I believe it's fair to say you are indeed qualified for the position."</p>
<p>"Yes, sir," she says once more. "Thank you, sir."</p>
<p>He eyes her, but doesn't say anything. "Yes, you're more than skilled enough. I'm certain of that." He pauses, and looks her directly in the eyes. "But here's my question, Taylor: what do you <em>really</em> want?"</p>
<p>She skews her head. "Sir?"</p>
<p>"You could have remained at your previous position for as long as you wanted to. You'd certainly never suffer from poverty, as I'm sure none of your offspring would for many generations yet. You had everything you could have ever wanted. Yet you want more. Why?" He pauses. "What's your endgame, here?"</p>
<p>She considers for a moment.</p>
<p>"The only thing I want, sir — the only thing I've ever wanted — is reason."</p>
<p>He's the one to skew his head, this time around.</p>
<p>"The world is filled with nonsense. With ridiculous morons thinking they know what's best." Something almost akin to disgust creeps onto her face. "They are all little more than misguided sheep, all mumbling under crowns of pretend-power. They need a shepherd. Someone that will show them what the proper path really is. Someone that will show them the way forward, and what their place along it is."</p>
<p>Skitter almost smiles. Taylor's eyelid almost twitches.</p>
<p>"This is what I want, Mister Marshall. A chance to build that future. To assist the architects of humanity, against all irreason."</p>
<p>For a moment, Skitter just sits there. Then, very slowly, he grins, and stands up.</p>
<p>"Well then, Malory," he says. "I am really glad to hear that. Because I think I've heard enough."</p>
<p>He corrects his coat, and extends his way forward. "Welcome aboard, Malory. I'll be glad to have you by our side, when we finally build our beautiful future. " He pauses. "There is still work to be done before we get there; I am happy to work with you to achieve it."</p>
<p>She grabs his hand and, for the first time this evening, her face twists into a smile. "Oh, I do not think that will be the case, Mister Marshall," she chuckles. For a brief second, a flash of yellow flies across her eyes.</p>
<p>Almost automatically, before he can think, Skitter asks: "Oh? And why is that?"</p>
<p>Before he can react, before he can do anything, she reaches to the inside of her suit and unsheaths a knife. He tries to pull away, but with her tightening grip, he's too slow. She slashes his hand.</p>
<p>Blood flies everywhere, and his small finger falls off, cleanly. He screams in terror.</p>
<p>She just smiles. "Because you will not live to see that future, you piece of shit."</p>
<hr/>
<p>Better yet, unlike Iris and Robert, he's human.</p>
<p>Iris is practically a god to most of the uneducated hoi polloi. She's a genius, a miracle kid who took a decadent fortune and turned it into the first multi-trillion dollar business the world has ever seen. With her wit, determination, and thaumic talent, she's of no match to anyone, on pretty much all fields — an unforgiving queen no matter the court. With Robert never leaving her shadow, he's a stern reminder of what happens to those who dare to challenge Iris; one that doesn't let anything and anyone get in the way of her monopolistic conquest. One who's ready to make new vassals kneel before the might he represents.</p>
<p>Skitter, meanwhile, is none of that; he's no genius and he's no enforcer, no star to outshine others in the night sky. He's just Skitter: a moron that still somehow manages to carry on, an idiot that lives, laughs, and loves. A symbol for fools just like him to pick up as their own and worship with posts, interviews, and articles. In that regard, he too is maybe almost some minor godhead — but unlike the other members of his pantheon, he's a man of the people. Those stupid enough to believe that for even a moment, at the very least.</p>
<hr/>
<p>His brain immediately goes into overdrive. He subconsciously reverts to the most basic of instincts, the moment the blade touches his hand.</p>
<p>Before he can think, his whole body jerks itself backwards. He doesn't even feel the pain from the lost finger — with adrenaline rushing to his brain like never before, everything that isn't getting out of the room gets filtered out of his thoughts.</p>
<p>Taylor's face twists with anger as she slashes once more, this time aiming for the face. She misses — with Skitter doing his best to dodge, her knife falls onto his shoulder. He lets out a quiet yelp from the impact, but his skin doesn't get cut — the protective runes woven into the fabric do their job, even without him thinking about them. That doesn't stop Taylor, though, who continues her flurry.</p>
<p>Somehow, against all odds, Skitter is nimbler than the knife.</p>
<p>He falls back even further until he hits the concrete wall, feeling the movement bruise his back and spine. Without thinking, he does the only thing that can postpone his offender, the only thing that can give him a chance at escape — he takes off his coat and throws it at Malory. She isn't fast enough to get out of its way, and she meets it face-first.</p>
<p>Before she can untangle herself from the heavy mess, Skitter jumps forward, towards the exit Malory has walked through. He has to get away from her. Even he isn't stupid enough to use the elevator.</p>
<p>In one swift movement, he reaches the doors and falls through into a fire exit staircase. He tries punching the alarm button, but — just as he has expected — it doesn't do anything. The wires are cut.</p>
<p>For a few milliseconds, his brain goes into panic mode as he starts to climb up, up towards his own apartment in hopes of getting into familiar ground. On his third step, he remembers he's got his phone by his side. He unpockets it and as he notices it won't turn on, he trips and falls right onto his face.</p>
<p>All of this takes maybe two seconds.</p>
<p>In-between gurgles of blood, he spits out a tooth, and sees that Taylor isn't far behind. Before he can stand back up, she lunges forward at him, her weapon extended. He dodges, but barely; with her now on top of him, he narrowly musters enough strength to throw her off and stand up. One of his strands of hair gets caught on her blade. The slash follows through, leaving a scratch on his chin and a solid half of his head bald.</p>
<p>It's better than being dead, but only barely.</p>
<p>With all the determination he can gather, he kicks her right in the face.</p>
<p>She's almost too shocked to react, and his dragonhide shoe breaks her nose. But the blood that comes out of it isn't red — it's a slime-like gray substance that evaporates as quickly as it appears. For a brief second, the flesh around her wound moves and twists, revealing a layer of dark veins and meat underneath it. She hisses, and Marshall kicks her two more times.</p>
<p>Under normal circumstances, he would never kick a woman, but he's got no choice — it's either him or her. Besides, whatever this shapeshifting thing is, it definitely isn't Malory Taylor.</p>
<p>Before she can get up, he jumps, immediately running up the stairs. He's no athlete, but thanks to his everyday exercises — and extremely expensive treatments extending his youth — he manages to outpace her. He doesn't stop even when he gets to the top, doesn't stop even to turn on the lights in the next room. There's no time for that, and he knows the layout almost by heart. Without exaggeration, he's spent many years inside that wardrobe.</p>
<p>As he feels a thrown knife puncture the flesh above his ankle, Skitter Marshall loses his balance, falling right into his darkness-covered dressing room.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Yes, "parasite" isn't good — "icon" is more like it.</p>
<p>Skitter Marshall is an icon.</p>
<p>With his colorful suits and a wide smile on his face, Skitter is a proper icon. One they can plaster on ads and put on late night TV programs to do all the talking. When the adults are focused on business, Skitter gets sent to be the face of the Company — he'd be of no use anywhere else anyway, and the faces of the two other candidates may come off as far more monstrous than would be ideal. Better yet, with this task given, Skitter can indulge in the only thing he's really good at: fashion.</p>
<p>He was born a talentless hack in pretty much all fields available except this one, but by some pure chance — or perhaps pity on behalf of an otherwise uncaring universe — Skitter Marshall was born with an immaculate eye when it comes to fashion.</p>
<p>Nobody can quite tell why; he's got no skills in design and indeed no artistic muscle at all, but whenever he opens the wardrobe, it's always to kill it with the look. In-between all of his pastel suits, fancy canes, and rings made from the most precious of metals, he looks like an aging bisexual that hasn't yet come to terms with the reality of his circumstances, in spite of his thoroughly mundane nature. With the beauty in the eyes of billions, he appears like a true flash of color in an otherwise black and white world of boring suits. Where others dress to impress an uncaring audience, he's a breath of fresh air and courage — the first real spark of originality and individuality in the washed out and painfully optimized reality of twenty first century capitalism.</p>
<hr/>
<p>He hides in-between his clothes the second he goes through. Only barely does he resist the urge to shout from the pain of his new wound. He grits his teeth, powering through the pain — and the realization his blood is staining his carpet floor.</p>
<p>The room is some-fifty square meters large, all dark walls and hangers with clothes sorted by make and color. Thanks to their size — and sheer amount — you can only barely see above the garments, so hiding is as simple as just crouching. Besides, to the untrained eye, the wardrobe is more akin to a labyrinth than any actual, navigable room.</p>
<p>Though Skitter hears Malory's steps as she enters the room, he knows she won't find him here for at least a few seconds. More than enough to put together a plan.</p>
<p>Before he does figure out what to do, though, he needs to know what he's up against.</p>
<p>Whatever that thing is, it's definitely not Malory Taylor. It can shapeshift, that much is certain, but is limited to physical combat in its skills — had it any spark of magic inside its veins, it would have long-since taken Skitter out with a spell. It's both a relief and a drawback — with the runes writ onto his clothing, he would have one more advantage against her, but at least now, he knows what to expect.</p>
<p>Good. He knows what she is. That's better than nothing.</p>
<p>What else?</p>
<p>Her motivations are irrelevant, at least for now. She wants to kill him, that's all that counts. But for whom? Who stands behind this attempt? Is this an act of individual vigilantism, some gambit made by the Hand (the usage of a creature magical in nature would certainly fit their profile), or…</p>
<p>…or Iris Dark?</p>
<p>A cold shiver goes down his spine as he comes to a realization he doesn't quite like.</p>
<p>Though never confirmed outright, when his father died, Skitter is quite certain it was <a href="/money-game">Iris behind the blade</a>. She sought power, and both Amos Marshall and Ruprecht Carter were in the way. Skitter never much cared either way — he didn't harbor particular love for any of his late kin — but it did mean that Iris was capable of anything for a higher throne.</p>
<p>Could it be that this time, Skitter was an obstacle towards greater glory? That his role was already played? That—</p>
<p><em>"Come out, you little rat,"</em> he suddenly hears a whisper ring inside his head. It's so loud it almost hurts. It's not spoken words, of that he's certain — the only real sound that the pretend-Malory is making is the noise of throwing the clothes out of their hangers, searching for the skittering Marshall. <em>"Don't make this messier than it has to be."</em></p>
<p>He shakes his head. If it's some flavor of telepath, it's definitely the Hand. Iris would have already taken care of the job, if it was her. He wouldn't be standing here, having this realization.</p>
<p>He slowly creeps further into the closet as he feels Malory approach. He doesn't have much time left. He has to figure something out.</p>
<p>He takes a few quick, quiet breaths, and closes his eyes. He needs to focus.</p>
<p>He can't win with the assassin in fair, melee combat. He's a lanky stick, and even the with added protection of his clothes, he's no match for someone with knives. There's no telling what that thing can morph into, so fighting fair's off the table. He can't escape, either. The only other exit, barring the one he just went through, is on the other side of the room, right along Malory. He won't be able to sneak that far without being noticed.</p>
<p>So, he can't fight nor flee. He—</p>
<p><em>"There is no other exit, boy. You know this. Come out, and I'll make it quick."</em></p>
<p>A thought dawns suddenly on him: the shapeshifter is agile, but also <em>fragile</em>. If his shoe was enough to fracture her skin, it means it's much more brittle than that of baseline people. It also maybe — just maybe — means it will react much more feverishly to other types of damage, too.</p>
<p>He resists the urge to grin as an idea enters his mind. It's a stupid, stupid play, one that will most likely end with him six feet under, but it's also his only chance at survival.</p>
<p>He breaths in, and jumps out of the hangers, right into open view. Before Malory can turn to see him, he quickly grabs one of the nearby clothes — a red, flashy robe — and puts it right on. He crosses his arms.</p>
<p>"Malory!" he shouts, his legs firmly placed upon the ground below them. "I'm here, you bitch!"</p>
<p>Slowly, she turns towards him. She's standing maybe two meters before him. She narrows his eyes, suspicious of his sudden appearance, but still determined to take him out. She corrects the grip on her weapon.</p>
<p>"I'm glad you chose to listen to reason, Marshall," she says, and extends her arm, throwing the weapon without any hesitation.</p>
<p>He's more than ready.</p>
<p>In one swift movement, he ducks — feeling the pain of every single wound he's been inflicted — and grips the side of his red robe with enough strength to pull a muscle. He then takes it and throws it at Malory once more, this time aiming at her arm. Immediately, mid-air, it catches fire at the end of its sleeves and around its neck.</p>
<p>The robe is an old gift, one given to his grandfather by the ambassadors of the then-still-extant Chinese Abnormality Institute. Centuries ago, it was a garment used by flame battlemages, pyromancers trained in the art of total war. For many years now, it was little more than a stylish over-the-top piece Skitter would sometimes use during particularly pretentious ceremonies. Still, it carried its initial purpose — that of intimidating the common man by helping the masters of fire spark their flame — more than enough.</p>
<p>Malory tries to dodge, but is far too slow — and the robe is far too wide. Part of it falls onto her, and, just as Skitter expects, pretend-Malory catches fire.</p>
<p>Within seconds, all of her skin bursts ablaze. Before she can do anything — before she can even reach for the nearest extinguisher — she burns into dust right in front of his eyes.</p>
<p>If Skitter had any more energy left in him, he would rush towards the still-lit pile of bones and burnt flesh and get as many of his clothes away from it as possible. Instead, though, tired and exhausted, he feels the adrenaline flush itself out of his system.</p>
<p>Seconds later, he's lying on the ground, unconscious.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Above all else, though, Skitter Marshall is a puppet.</p>
<p>He's been one for his whole life, really; a doll always moving to the whims of others. He might have strings of silk and a cage with bars of gold, but he's at the mercy of forces far greater — and far wiser — than he could ever hope to be. Indeed, such has been the case ever since he's drawn his first breath, shouting tears of infant fear in-between the cries of his own dying mother. Always a slave to something grander.</p>
<p>First, to the universe itself. Out of all the possible mothers, it was Miss Louise Marshall that bore him. The wife of the richest man on the planet, and he was her son. Out of all the possibilities, <em>he</em> was the one that received that honor — he, perhaps the person who deserved it the least.</p>
<p>Then, to some cruel trick of fate. All of his brothers and sisters, all older and more fitting to the position of heir than him — and he was the only one that survived. Sickness, nature, enemies, and their own kin, all tools uncaring destiny has used against House Marshall during the times of Skitter. When it really mattered, when Amos Marshall fell to his own kin and left his fortune without an owner, he was the one who rose on top. He, who was never meant to be anyone but a fancy cupbearer for the real Lord Marshall.</p>
<p>And now, to Iris Dark. As the latest in his string of masters, she tasks him with the only thing she could never do herself: to be incompetent. To be human, in front of the eyes of billions, and give her the compassion she could never take herself. She's no better than all of the previous lords and ladies which had Skitter as their pawn, but at least with her, he feels like it's all for a purpose. That, no matter the nonsense he has to put up with in-between his pleasures, it's all building towards something.</p>
<p>Some days, he's almost afraid of what it is she really wants. Even he isn't dumb enough to not see there's some grand end goal she aspires towards, some terrible finale to her — <em>their</em> — story. She'd of course never tell him, even if he asked, but he knows it has to be something big. It has been in the works for at least a few decades by now, and Iris has never been one for small conclusions.</p>
<p>Whatever it is, Skitter knows it will be the grandest thing the world has ever seen — and, however it may be, he will have to play a part in it. One more play as a puppet, one more pull of his strings. One more game to endure.</p>
<p>One he, truth be told, doesn't quite mind. For for as long as the wine flows and the girls remain pretty, Skitter thinks he quite likes his cage, however tightening it may be.</p>
<hr/>
<p>When he wakes up again, bloodied and bruised, Skitter starts the slow crawl towards his chambers, wincing at the damage done to his wardrobe. With a broken leg, burnt hair, and torn-apart clothes, he doesn't think he could get any more pathetic even if he tried. If anyone were to see him, he's certain he would appear as little more than vermin. As some pitiful little bug, barely distinguishable from homeless trash. As someone not worthy of any compassion, let alone admiration. And that thought, even more so than the needles of pain each movement pushes into his brain, fills him with fury.</p>
<p>Fury enough that, even though the adrenaline has already worn off and he feels like he's dying, he makes it up those stairs. Step by step, one groan of unimaginable pain after the other, he climbs them.</p>
<p>He almost passes out when he tries to stand up.</p>
<p>Eventually — and after one too many deep, half-panicked breaths — he manages to muster enough strength to open the doors. He's always hated them, always despised the fact they interfered with his decor for the sake of fire safety instructions that Iris enforced even here, even upon him. Right now, though, he doesn't think he's ever been more grateful for anything in his life.</p>
<p>He falls through them onto the cold marble floor. He doesn't even groan from the pain. He just lays there, unable to move, unable to speak, unable to stand up — unable to <em>be</em>.</p>
<p>Soon enough, though, he does look up. He's not sure why, but he does it — maybe in hope of seeing one of his staff waiting there for him like a savior, as his own personal low-born Jesus. (Not being particularly enlightened himself, Christ's material status escapes him, as does the irony of that thought.)</p>
<p>When he notices Iris Dark standing above him, he winces so hard he almost pulls a muscle.</p>
<p>She just stands there, her tall, slender figure propped up against the wall opposite of the door he's fallen through. Her eyes are narrowed, and her face is unreadable — all he can discern from her posture is that she has been waiting for him for a while, now.</p>
<p>He almost sighs. So it was her, after all.</p>
<p>"I-Iris," he manages to mumble with his bruised lips and broken teeth.</p>
<p>She nods, slowly. "Yes, Skitter, it's me." She crosses her arms and walks up towards him. "I see you managed to persist." She puts emphasis on the last syllable. "In spite of my expectations."</p>
<p>He gulps. It makes his throat feel drier than a desert. "You… You saw?"</p>
<p>"I did. It was certainly a spectacle."</p>
<p>Well, then. That confirms it. He closes his eyes. "So it was you, then?"</p>
<p>She almost laughs. "Come now, Skitter. Really? If it was me, we wouldn't be having this conversation." She pauses, and ponders her nails. "No, it wasn't me. But I did see every second of your struggle. In quite more detail than I would have hoped, I should add."</p>
<p>His confusion grows even further.</p>
<p>"W-Why?" he whispers out, trying to shake his head.</p>
<p>"Why what? Why didn't I help you?" She pauses. "Because, truth be told, Skitter, I was curious."</p>
<p>He doesn't raise an eyebrow.</p>
<p>"Curious whether you had the fire in you." She uncrosses her arms, and lowers herself to his level. "I wouldn't have let that pathetic worm kill you, is that what you fear? That I'd get rid of you? <em>Please</em>. Your blood is worth far too much to spill it."</p>
<p>She shakes her head. "But I needed to see. Needed to see if you are worthy, of what I have planned. If you really are ready to take on the weight of a crown."</p>
<p>She stands up, and puts on a fake smile. "Now," she says, "let's get you patched up." She takes out her phone, and pats him on the back. "You've got an appearance on live TV tomorrow. I can't let them see you like this. It would be bad business."</p>
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To most, Skitter Marshall is a fool.
In the ranks of Marshall, Carter & Dark, he stands as the least important of those who lead the purple-spangled banners towards ever greater glory. With Iris Dark as the empress and Robert Carter as her right hand, Skitter is little more than a court jester -- an attraction for all those who dare request audience with Robert, in hopes of getting through to Iris. He bears no strength and shines with no particular wit, in spite of his late father's lessons and teachings. As one of the Senior Partners to the Company, he holds immense wealth, but lives under that mantle more out of accidental kindness than any actual skill in the field of economics. He is where he is only because, at the time of Amos Marshall's untimely passing, there were no older legitimate children of House Carter to inherit the immeasurable wealth.
He is well aware of this all, of course. He knows he is a pup thrown into the cage of lions, an unprepared coward crowned as one of the three lords of an unforgiving economic battlefield. But he is also aware that he doesn't //need// to be anything else; with Iris keeping everyone else in rank and Robert carrying out her orders, all Skitter needs to do to win is just sit with the rest of the players and let them move their pawns. He might get laughed at by those who don't know better, but in the end, he will partake in the spoils of war alongside his battle-worn brethren anyway.
-----
Tonight, Skitter has only one job: to look imposing.
Even considering his questionable physique, it shouldn't be that much of an issue; he's the owner of the single largest wardrobe out of anyone who has ever lived. Other members of the one-percenter's one percent may waste their wealth on trivial things such as stocks or companies, but he knows what's best for //his// part of the trillion dollar fortune, and he's made great use of it. Almost one tenth of his family's seat at the House of Marshall in Esterberg is dedicated to his collection of beauty from every corner of the world, and sometimes from far beyond. It's a wardrobe many would kill for -- and one many have indeed already died for.
Not all of the House is just a fancy storehouse, of course. Most of it consists of silly business such as the offices of companies registered under the shared wealth of the Marshall family, fancy meeting halls, private restaurants, and luxurious locales the likes of which only belonged to gods and kings, for most of history. But on the top floor of the imposing brick, steel, and concrete building lies the real treasure: Skitter Marshall's private apartment. With one half of it dedicated to his darkened bedroom, gold-laid bathrooms, and living room covered in the hides of animals long since extinct and the other half to his collection, he's fairly certain that that floor alone could count as a whole villa in the eyes of the public.
He, for one, certainly wouldn't exchange it for anything else. Indeed, tonight, he is intent on using it to the best of his abilities. He will not fail the task he was given.
Within just an hour of waking up, he does his usual exercises and washes himself in a shower larger than some apartments. He does his skincare routine, combs his dark shoulder-length, curly hair, and takes care of his pathetic attempt at a mustache. When that's done, he eats what his private Michelin star chefs have prepared for him, and opens the doors to his real treasury.
He spends the next hour browsing between all the wardrobe has to offer. He has to make damned sure everything's as good as it can possibly be, today; there's absolutely no room for error.
After some more time comparing, trying, and cleaning, he decides that hats are too ridiculous and suits far too boring. He therefore settles on a proper dark green coat woven from the fleece of Druv'tuulian mole-sheep, stylized alongside a white shirt, beige pants, and brown shoes made from Droganian dragonhide leather -- all reinforced with appropriate thaumic protective runes, of course. He finishes his piece with some old seal rings that have once belonged to his father, all smithed from Yeren blacksteel, and his signature cane, decorated with the House Marshall bloodhound insignia. (He doesn't actually need it for anything -- he just considers it a fine symbol of power to make his image even more timeless.)
Had this been a different day, he would have put on some earrings, too -- but tonight, he doesn't want to invoke any sympathy or weakness. He wants to be seen as someone so far out of the other's league that he almost maybe imposes some shade of authority.
When all is done, Skitter takes a step back, and looks in the mirror.
As always, he looks great.
He takes a deep breath, stops with the nervous smile, and puts on his best passive-aggressive face.
Without further hesitation, he calls the elevator meant to transport him to his personal office, and readies for the one thing he's dreaded for months at this point: to be the more privileged part of a job interview.
-----
Come to think of it, Skitter Marshall is more of a parasite than any actual jester. Jesters get where they are because of what they can do -- or, perhaps, what they were unable to do when they were born. Skitter meanwhile just leeches off of the great vaults Iris and Robert fill with more and more blood money. He's here because it's so much easier to maintain this charade than to get rid of him. Before Iris made her power concrete, it was Skitter's heritage that gave her the greatest fortune this planet has ever seen. Besides, by that time, she's already taken care of two other Partners too eager in their climb up the social ladder. So to Iris, having a fool who's only interested in like minded girls, wine, and a good time is an alternative far better than growing potential enemies at home. Especially when, just like Skitter, that fool fears you -- and knows that without you, he is nothing.
But no, "parasite" isn't quite right, either; parasites only take and take and take, preying upon those unfortunate enough to be their hosts and bringing them into inevitable demise. Skitter's existence is not of detriment to the Company, in spite of what independent outside specialists may claim. Though he's a pathetic moron, he brings to the table what no other of his fellow Partners can, in spite of their talents: the illusion of safety. He's a third wheel in what would otherwise be a duo, a shadow of stability that makes a partnership into a proper and truly iconic company, in the eyes of the public.
------
She's already waiting for him when he emerges from the elevator.
His personal office is a small, brutalist room, one not larger than maybe twelve square meters. Its walls are made of concrete, and the only decoration inside is his wooden desk with two chairs on opposite sides, placed directly in the middle of the office. Nothing hangs on the walls of the ceiling, barring a single, white fluorescent light.
If he hadn't ordered it cleaned yesterday, his newcomer would almost certainly see it filled with dust. The room, aimed at serious work for serious adults, doesn't see much use. With the exception of the occasional drink or wild night with a partner, Skitter doesn't enter it, ever. It's more of a symbol than any real office.
Except for tonight, of course.
He doesn't want to do this, but he's got no choice. He needs a right hand, someone who'll help him make his task -- being the face of the company -- less of a chore. He isn't particularly keen on actually interviewing this woman -- especially since all of his go-to experts have already recommended her more than enough -- but he isn't keen on being alone with his work even more.
So as not to postpone further, he clears his throat and sits down, trying his very best to remain in his face and posture. Though he's lanky, his height makes looking down on people even easier than it normally would. He hopes it'll be enough.
Before him sits Malory Taylor. She's a tall woman, somewhere maybe in her early forties. She's wearing a gray suit -- it pairs with her tied up, graying hair. Her face is unreadable, and her hands are put together on her desk. She's looking right at him, total neutrality present in those gray eyes. Skitter can see her briefcase right next to the concrete chair; her resume folder has already been placed upon his desk.
He must say she's dealing quite well with his hostile interior. Much better than anyone that has sat there before her did, at the very least.
"So, Taylor," he begins, also putting his hands together. "I see you've made it."
"Yes, sir," she replies almost automatically. There are no emotions in her tone.
Skitter resists the urge to narrow his eyes; instead, he just picks up the folder and begins browsing through it, pretending he's seeing it for the first time. Pretending that he hasn't studied this person extensively for many weeks beforehand.
"Six years as CEO of Void. Eight more as the head of HR and Media for Marshall Drafts." He pretend-browses some more, trying to ascertain her reaction. None comes. "Well. I believe it's fair to say you are indeed qualified for the position."
"Yes, sir," she says once more. "Thank you, sir."
He eyes her, but doesn't say anything. "Yes, you're more than skilled enough. I'm certain of that." He pauses, and looks her directly in the eyes. "But here's my question, Taylor: what do you //really// want?"
She skews her head. "Sir?"
"You could have remained at your previous position for as long as you wanted to. You'd certainly never suffer from poverty, as I'm sure none of your offspring would for many generations yet. You had everything you could have ever wanted. Yet you want more. Why?" He pauses. "What's your endgame, here?"
She considers for a moment.
"The only thing I want, sir -- the only thing I've ever wanted -- is reason."
He's the one to skew his head, this time around.
"The world is filled with nonsense. With ridiculous morons thinking they know what's best." Something almost akin to disgust creeps onto her face. "They are all little more than misguided sheep, all mumbling under crowns of pretend-power. They need a shepherd. Someone that will show them what the proper path really is. Someone that will show them the way forward, and what their place along it is."
Skitter almost smiles. Taylor's eyelid almost twitches.
"This is what I want, Mister Marshall. A chance to build that future. To assist the architects of humanity, against all irreason."
For a moment, Skitter just sits there. Then, very slowly, he grins, and stands up.
"Well then, Malory," he says. "I am really glad to hear that. Because I think I've heard enough."
He corrects his coat, and extends his way forward. "Welcome aboard, Malory. I'll be glad to have you by our side, when we finally build our beautiful future. " He pauses. "There is still work to be done before we get there; I am happy to work with you to achieve it."
She grabs his hand and, for the first time this evening, her face twists into a smile. "Oh, I do not think that will be the case, Mister Marshall," she chuckles. For a brief second, a flash of yellow flies across her eyes.
Almost automatically, before he can think, Skitter asks: "Oh? And why is that?"
Before he can react, before he can do anything, she reaches to the inside of her suit and unsheaths a knife. He tries to pull away, but with her tightening grip, he's too slow. She slashes his hand.
Blood flies everywhere, and his small finger falls off, cleanly. He screams in terror.
She just smiles. "Because you will not live to see that future, you piece of shit."
-----
Better yet, unlike Iris and Robert, he's human.
Iris is practically a god to most of the uneducated hoi polloi. She's a genius, a miracle kid who took a decadent fortune and turned it into the first multi-trillion dollar business the world has ever seen. With her wit, determination, and thaumic talent, she's of no match to anyone, on pretty much all fields -- an unforgiving queen no matter the court. With Robert never leaving her shadow, he's a stern reminder of what happens to those who dare to challenge Iris; one that doesn't let anything and anyone get in the way of her monopolistic conquest. One who's ready to make new vassals kneel before the might he represents.
Skitter, meanwhile, is none of that; he's no genius and he's no enforcer, no star to outshine others in the night sky. He's just Skitter: a moron that still somehow manages to carry on, an idiot that lives, laughs, and loves. A symbol for fools just like him to pick up as their own and worship with posts, interviews, and articles. In that regard, he too is maybe almost some minor godhead -- but unlike the other members of his pantheon, he's a man of the people. Those stupid enough to believe that for even a moment, at the very least.
-----
His brain immediately goes into overdrive. He subconsciously reverts to the most basic of instincts, the moment the blade touches his hand.
Before he can think, his whole body jerks itself backwards. He doesn't even feel the pain from the lost finger -- with adrenaline rushing to his brain like never before, everything that isn't getting out of the room gets filtered out of his thoughts.
Taylor's face twists with anger as she slashes once more, this time aiming for the face. She misses -- with Skitter doing his best to dodge, her knife falls onto his shoulder. He lets out a quiet yelp from the impact, but his skin doesn't get cut -- the protective runes woven into the fabric do their job, even without him thinking about them. That doesn't stop Taylor, though, who continues her flurry.
Somehow, against all odds, Skitter is nimbler than the knife.
He falls back even further until he hits the concrete wall, feeling the movement bruise his back and spine. Without thinking, he does the only thing that can postpone his offender, the only thing that can give him a chance at escape -- he takes off his coat and throws it at Malory. She isn't fast enough to get out of its way, and she meets it face-first.
Before she can untangle herself from the heavy mess, Skitter jumps forward, towards the exit Malory has walked through. He has to get away from her. Even he isn't stupid enough to use the elevator.
In one swift movement, he reaches the doors and falls through into a fire exit staircase. He tries punching the alarm button, but -- just as he has expected -- it doesn't do anything. The wires are cut.
For a few milliseconds, his brain goes into panic mode as he starts to climb up, up towards his own apartment in hopes of getting into familiar ground. On his third step, he remembers he's got his phone by his side. He unpockets it and as he notices it won't turn on, he trips and falls right onto his face.
All of this takes maybe two seconds.
In-between gurgles of blood, he spits out a tooth, and sees that Taylor isn't far behind. Before he can stand back up, she lunges forward at him, her weapon extended. He dodges, but barely; with her now on top of him, he narrowly musters enough strength to throw her off and stand up. One of his strands of hair gets caught on her blade. The slash follows through, leaving a scratch on his chin and a solid half of his head bald.
It's better than being dead, but only barely.
With all the determination he can gather, he kicks her right in the face.
She's almost too shocked to react, and his dragonhide shoe breaks her nose. But the blood that comes out of it isn't red -- it's a slime-like gray substance that evaporates as quickly as it appears. For a brief second, the flesh around her wound moves and twists, revealing a layer of dark veins and meat underneath it. She hisses, and Marshall kicks her two more times.
Under normal circumstances, he would never kick a woman, but he's got no choice -- it's either him or her. Besides, whatever this shapeshifting thing is, it definitely isn't Malory Taylor.
Before she can get up, he jumps, immediately running up the stairs. He's no athlete, but thanks to his everyday exercises -- and extremely expensive treatments extending his youth -- he manages to outpace her. He doesn't stop even when he gets to the top, doesn't stop even to turn on the lights in the next room. There's no time for that, and he knows the layout almost by heart. Without exaggeration, he's spent many years inside that wardrobe.
As he feels a thrown knife puncture the flesh above his ankle, Skitter Marshall loses his balance, falling right into his darkness-covered dressing room.
-----
Yes, "parasite" isn't good -- "icon" is more like it.
Skitter Marshall is an icon.
With his colorful suits and a wide smile on his face, Skitter is a proper icon. One they can plaster on ads and put on late night TV programs to do all the talking. When the adults are focused on business, Skitter gets sent to be the face of the Company -- he'd be of no use anywhere else anyway, and the faces of the two other candidates may come off as far more monstrous than would be ideal. Better yet, with this task given, Skitter can indulge in the only thing he's really good at: fashion.
He was born a talentless hack in pretty much all fields available except this one, but by some pure chance -- or perhaps pity on behalf of an otherwise uncaring universe -- Skitter Marshall was born with an immaculate eye when it comes to fashion.
Nobody can quite tell why; he's got no skills in design and indeed no artistic muscle at all, but whenever he opens the wardrobe, it's always to kill it with the look. In-between all of his pastel suits, fancy canes, and rings made from the most precious of metals, he looks like an aging bisexual that hasn't yet come to terms with the reality of his circumstances, in spite of his thoroughly mundane nature. With the beauty in the eyes of billions, he appears like a true flash of color in an otherwise black and white world of boring suits. Where others dress to impress an uncaring audience, he's a breath of fresh air and courage -- the first real spark of originality and individuality in the washed out and painfully optimized reality of twenty first century capitalism.
-----
He hides in-between his clothes the second he goes through. Only barely does he resist the urge to shout from the pain of his new wound. He grits his teeth, powering through the pain -- and the realization his blood is staining his carpet floor.
The room is some-fifty square meters large, all dark walls and hangers with clothes sorted by make and color. Thanks to their size -- and sheer amount -- you can only barely see above the garments, so hiding is as simple as just crouching. Besides, to the untrained eye, the wardrobe is more akin to a labyrinth than any actual, navigable room.
Though Skitter hears Malory's steps as she enters the room, he knows she won't find him here for at least a few seconds. More than enough to put together a plan.
Before he does figure out what to do, though, he needs to know what he's up against.
Whatever that thing is, it's definitely not Malory Taylor. It can shapeshift, that much is certain, but is limited to physical combat in its skills -- had it any spark of magic inside its veins, it would have long-since taken Skitter out with a spell. It's both a relief and a drawback -- with the runes writ onto his clothing, he would have one more advantage against her, but at least now, he knows what to expect.
Good. He knows what she is. That's better than nothing.
What else?
Her motivations are irrelevant, at least for now. She wants to kill him, that's all that counts. But for whom? Who stands behind this attempt? Is this an act of individual vigilantism, some gambit made by the Hand (the usage of a creature magical in nature would certainly fit their profile), or...
...or Iris Dark?
A cold shiver goes down his spine as he comes to a realization he doesn't quite like.
Though never confirmed outright, when his father died, Skitter is quite certain it was [[[money-game|Iris behind the blade]]]. She sought power, and both Amos Marshall and Ruprecht Carter were in the way. Skitter never much cared either way -- he didn't harbor particular love for any of his late kin -- but it did mean that Iris was capable of anything for a higher throne.
Could it be that this time, Skitter was an obstacle towards greater glory? That his role was already played? That--
//"Come out, you little rat,"// he suddenly hears a whisper ring inside his head. It's so loud it almost hurts. It's not spoken words, of that he's certain -- the only real sound that the pretend-Malory is making is the noise of throwing the clothes out of their hangers, searching for the skittering Marshall. //"Don't make this messier than it has to be."//
He shakes his head. If it's some flavor of telepath, it's definitely the Hand. Iris would have already taken care of the job, if it was her. He wouldn't be standing here, having this realization.
He slowly creeps further into the closet as he feels Malory approach. He doesn't have much time left. He has to figure something out.
He takes a few quick, quiet breaths, and closes his eyes. He needs to focus.
He can't win with the assassin in fair, melee combat. He's a lanky stick, and even the with added protection of his clothes, he's no match for someone with knives. There's no telling what that thing can morph into, so fighting fair's off the table. He can't escape, either. The only other exit, barring the one he just went through, is on the other side of the room, right along Malory. He won't be able to sneak that far without being noticed.
So, he can't fight nor flee. He--
//"There is no other exit, boy. You know this. Come out, and I'll make it quick."//
A thought dawns suddenly on him: the shapeshifter is agile, but also //fragile//. If his shoe was enough to fracture her skin, it means it's much more brittle than that of baseline people. It also maybe -- just maybe -- means it will react much more feverishly to other types of damage, too.
He resists the urge to grin as an idea enters his mind. It's a stupid, stupid play, one that will most likely end with him six feet under, but it's also his only chance at survival.
He breaths in, and jumps out of the hangers, right into open view. Before Malory can turn to see him, he quickly grabs one of the nearby clothes -- a red, flashy robe -- and puts it right on. He crosses his arms.
"Malory!" he shouts, his legs firmly placed upon the ground below them. "I'm here, you bitch!"
Slowly, she turns towards him. She's standing maybe two meters before him. She narrows his eyes, suspicious of his sudden appearance, but still determined to take him out. She corrects the grip on her weapon.
"I'm glad you chose to listen to reason, Marshall," she says, and extends her arm, throwing the weapon without any hesitation.
He's more than ready.
In one swift movement, he ducks -- feeling the pain of every single wound he's been inflicted -- and grips the side of his red robe with enough strength to pull a muscle. He then takes it and throws it at Malory once more, this time aiming at her arm. Immediately, mid-air, it catches fire at the end of its sleeves and around its neck.
The robe is an old gift, one given to his grandfather by the ambassadors of the then-still-extant Chinese Abnormality Institute. Centuries ago, it was a garment used by flame battlemages, pyromancers trained in the art of total war. For many years now, it was little more than a stylish over-the-top piece Skitter would sometimes use during particularly pretentious ceremonies. Still, it carried its initial purpose -- that of intimidating the common man by helping the masters of fire spark their flame -- more than enough.
Malory tries to dodge, but is far too slow -- and the robe is far too wide. Part of it falls onto her, and, just as Skitter expects, pretend-Malory catches fire.
Within seconds, all of her skin bursts ablaze. Before she can do anything -- before she can even reach for the nearest extinguisher -- she burns into dust right in front of his eyes.
If Skitter had any more energy left in him, he would rush towards the still-lit pile of bones and burnt flesh and get as many of his clothes away from it as possible. Instead, though, tired and exhausted, he feels the adrenaline flush itself out of his system.
Seconds later, he's lying on the ground, unconscious.
----
Above all else, though, Skitter Marshall is a puppet.
He's been one for his whole life, really; a doll always moving to the whims of others. He might have strings of silk and a cage with bars of gold, but he's at the mercy of forces far greater -- and far wiser -- than he could ever hope to be. Indeed, such has been the case ever since he's drawn his first breath, shouting tears of infant fear in-between the cries of his own dying mother. Always a slave to something grander.
First, to the universe itself. Out of all the possible mothers, it was Miss Louise Marshall that bore him. The wife of the richest man on the planet, and he was her son. Out of all the possibilities, //he// was the one that received that honor -- he, perhaps the person who deserved it the least.
Then, to some cruel trick of fate. All of his brothers and sisters, all older and more fitting to the position of heir than him -- and he was the only one that survived. Sickness, nature, enemies, and their own kin, all tools uncaring destiny has used against House Marshall during the times of Skitter. When it really mattered, when Amos Marshall fell to his own kin and left his fortune without an owner, he was the one who rose on top. He, who was never meant to be anyone but a fancy cupbearer for the real Lord Marshall.
And now, to Iris Dark. As the latest in his string of masters, she tasks him with the only thing she could never do herself: to be incompetent. To be human, in front of the eyes of billions, and give her the compassion she could never take herself. She's no better than all of the previous lords and ladies which had Skitter as their pawn, but at least with her, he feels like it's all for a purpose. That, no matter the nonsense he has to put up with in-between his pleasures, it's all building towards something.
Some days, he's almost afraid of what it is she really wants. Even he isn't dumb enough to not see there's some grand end goal she aspires towards, some terrible finale to her -- //their// -- story. She'd of course never tell him, even if he asked, but he knows it has to be something big. It has been in the works for at least a few decades by now, and Iris has never been one for small conclusions.
Whatever it is, Skitter knows it will be the grandest thing the world has ever seen -- and, however it may be, he will have to play a part in it. One more play as a puppet, one more pull of his strings. One more game to endure.
One he, truth be told, doesn't quite mind. For for as long as the wine flows and the girls remain pretty, Skitter thinks he quite likes his cage, however tightening it may be.
-----
When he wakes up again, bloodied and bruised, Skitter starts the slow crawl towards his chambers, wincing at the damage done to his wardrobe. With a broken leg, burnt hair, and torn-apart clothes, he doesn't think he could get any more pathetic even if he tried. If anyone were to see him, he's certain he would appear as little more than vermin. As some pitiful little bug, barely distinguishable from homeless trash. As someone not worthy of any compassion, let alone admiration. And that thought, even more so than the needles of pain each movement pushes into his brain, fills him with fury.
Fury enough that, even though the adrenaline has already worn off and he feels like he's dying, he makes it up those stairs. Step by step, one groan of unimaginable pain after the other, he climbs them.
He almost passes out when he tries to stand up.
Eventually -- and after one too many deep, half-panicked breaths -- he manages to muster enough strength to open the doors. He's always hated them, always despised the fact they interfered with his decor for the sake of fire safety instructions that Iris enforced even here, even upon him. Right now, though, he doesn't think he's ever been more grateful for anything in his life.
He falls through them onto the cold marble floor. He doesn't even groan from the pain. He just lays there, unable to move, unable to speak, unable to stand up -- unable to //be//.
Soon enough, though, he does look up. He's not sure why, but he does it -- maybe in hope of seeing one of his staff waiting there for him like a savior, as his own personal low-born Jesus. (Not being particularly enlightened himself, Christ's material status escapes him, as does the irony of that thought.)
When he notices Iris Dark standing above him, he winces so hard he almost pulls a muscle.
She just stands there, her tall, slender figure propped up against the wall opposite of the door he's fallen through. Her eyes are narrowed, and her face is unreadable -- all he can discern from her posture is that she has been waiting for him for a while, now.
He almost sighs. So it was her, after all.
"I-Iris," he manages to mumble with his bruised lips and broken teeth.
She nods, slowly. "Yes, Skitter, it's me." She crosses her arms and walks up towards him. "I see you managed to persist." She puts emphasis on the last syllable. "In spite of my expectations."
He gulps. It makes his throat feel drier than a desert. "You... You saw?"
"I did. It was certainly a spectacle."
Well, then. That confirms it. He closes his eyes. "So it was you, then?"
She almost laughs. "Come now, Skitter. Really? If it was me, we wouldn't be having this conversation." She pauses, and ponders her nails. "No, it wasn't me. But I did see every second of your struggle. In quite more detail than I would have hoped, I should add."
His confusion grows even further.
"W-Why?" he whispers out, trying to shake his head.
"Why what? Why didn't I help you?" She pauses. "Because, truth be told, Skitter, I was curious."
He doesn't raise an eyebrow.
"Curious whether you had the fire in you." She uncrosses her arms, and lowers herself to his level. "I wouldn't have let that pathetic worm kill you, is that what you fear? That I'd get rid of you? //Please//. Your blood is worth far too much to spill it."
She shakes her head. "But I needed to see. Needed to see if you are worthy, of what I have planned. If you really are ready to take on the weight of a crown."
She stands up, and puts on a fake smile. "Now," she says, "let's get you patched up." She takes out her phone, and pats him on the back. "You've got an appearance on live TV tomorrow. I can't let them see you like this. It would be bad business."
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zeniths-are-for-those-who-deserve-them | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div style="display: none;">
<div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"><img alt="zeniths.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/zeniths-are-for-those-who-deserve-them/zeniths.png"/>
<div class="scp-image-caption">
<p>Zeniths Are For Those Who Deserve Them</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="/wniosek-o-dotacje-na-opracowanie-srodka-przeciwko-alergii">Before Reading</a></strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p>You're Mark, right? Mark Wall?</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Oh, you're going there next, too?</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>I was thinking, since we're both low on cash, maybe we could live together?</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>How about… Prometheus?</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Wow. Even the Foundation is in on this idea of yours. I mean, that's <em>crazy huge</em>!</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px">
<p><em>I hope you will forgive me</em></p>
</div>
<blockquote>
<p>I have an idea I'm working on.</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px">
<p><em>I think you will understand</em></p>
</div>
<blockquote>
<p>I want to change history. The shameful history of my people. And I want your help.</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px">
<p><em>If, for some reason, I do not return,</em></p>
</div>
<blockquote>
<p>Oneiroic rituals… yes, that could work.</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px">
<p><em>I want you to know</em></p>
</div>
<blockquote>
<p>They accepted it! They approved the project!</p>
</blockquote>
<div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px">
<p><em>I am eternally grateful for all the help you have given me.</em></p>
<p><em>Your best friend,</em></p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Mark wakes up in a cold sweat and gasping for air.</p>
<p>He holds his head with both hands. Another one of these dreams, and that headache is even stronger now.</p>
<p>On the dusty and squeaky wooden floor, he reaches for his glasses, not noticing anymore that one of the lenses is fractured.</p>
<p>He painfully gets up from the worn mattress, coughs a bit to clear his mouth and starts walking towards the doorless entrance.</p>
<p>Into the corridors, the cold, cracked walls are covered with spray paint of unreadable words. He passes the entrance to the living room. There is no light or window, but Mark can see a man lying on the room's only couch, a bottle covered with brown paper in hand. The guy notices him.</p>
<p>"Hey Mark," says the man. Mark hates it when someone mentions his name. He hands the bottle towards him, "you want a sip or two?"</p>
<p>"…You know I don't do that shit."</p>
<p>A short belly laugh comes out of the man. "Just teasing ya, don't worry. Makin' sure you haven't forgotten who you are."</p>
<p>And he goes back to drinking. Mark continues towards the bathrooms, hoping they are not taken.</p>
<p>He stops at the door with the letters "WC" poorly written with a black marker. He opens it; an arid smell wafts out of the room and hits Mark's nostrils directly, but at least there's no one there. He first relieves himself on the toilet, not looking down at whatever is clogging it, and then steps up to the mirror.</p>
<p>He grabs the pill bottle sitting on the sink's only corner. "Class-C" is written on the side. He looks into the container. One remaining pill left, which he immediately swallows.</p>
<p>He looks into what is left of the mirror in front of him. He realizes it's been a long time since he hasn't looked at himself.</p>
<p>The surface of his face is wrinkled and rough. His unkempt grey beard is big now; he can't even see his dried lips anymore. Matted, and also grey, hair hangs in uneven clumps. He doesn't dare to smile, knowing his teeth have turned into a shade of yellow and brown. The circles around his eyes are darker than ever, showing that the latest nights have been nothing but painful with those dreams recently.</p>
<p>He remembers why he doesn't look at the reflection often: he hates it. He hates remembering.</p>
<p>It's also wet below his eyes and doesn't know who for.</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<hr/>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>Mark Wall is a certified genius. He was born with unusual logic and intellect levels, sometimes even scaring his father and mother.</p>
<p>At a very young age, Mark Wall spent his whole days at the library, studying ideas and concepts that baffled even the most renowned professors in his hometown. He had a certain <em>detachment</em> compared to other kids. Always cold, distant, and didn't like talking that much. He preferred when the books themselves were talking to him, not asking any questions back while it told everything he needed to know.</p>
<p>At the time of ten, Mark finds a special kind of flower growing in the backyard of his home. Instead of removing all weeds from the garden like his father asked, he kept this one plant untouched. It had purple petals with little ugly stains of green and was slightly bigger than all the others.</p>
<p>He was intrigued by this flower, not for its beauty, like many flora he had seen in books, but because his father had left it untouched for quite some time. When asked, his father said he did not know of such plant. Mark first thought it could be because his old man valued the importance of this flower, and tried to hide its existence for some reason. Or, his second hypothesis was that the flower itself affected his own father so as not to be uprooted.</p>
<p>Either way, it interested him. When he showed the plant to his mother, she claimed not to see anything and thanked Mark for clearing up the entirety of the garden. Mark's suspicions raised higher. It didn't take long before Mark studied heavily this flower's composition, and found it had a particular <em>cloaking</em> ability, making it hard for people to remember or even see the plant. And for some reason, he had a certain <em>resistance</em> to the effect of the plant. This discovery excited him.</p>
<p>Intrigued by the unique flower he had discovered, young Mark Wall couldn't resist experimenting with its sap. He hoped that perhaps this extraordinary plant possessed some hidden properties he could exploit, maybe even use it to persuade his parents to grant him more pocket money. However, as anticipated, his attempts proved futile due to his lack of experience. Of course, the young lad did not give up so easily.</p>
<p>Without knowing it yet, Mark found an antimemetically cloaked vegetal.</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<hr/>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>"Are you sure it's there?"</p>
<p>The guard nods.</p>
<p>Ania sighs. She hates this place. You'd think a ghetto in a magical city like Esterberg would be somewhat different, but no. It's as sad and depressing to see as every other. A place for bums and desperados of the anomalous world, trying to pass the day by buying drugs or getting money in order to get more high.</p>
<p>This district, in particular, smells rotten to Ania no matter the direction she is facing. Weeds grow on every square meter of concrete, and every house wears the same plain design looks as if it's been built in less than a week, with the foundations ready to fall in after years of use. Except for the Cadillac she got out from, the other automobiles she can perceive have collected rust and have all their windows broken, with cobwebs and plants now filling the passengers' seats. It feels like all of it has been abandoned a while ago, the only thing still alive are the people. Sitting around, smoking, talking, and sometimes just sitting on the floor waiting with their eyes wide open for the effect of their favorite stimulant to wear off. It's not the safest place either; that's why she is followed by Basile, a woman large enough to put two other Ania in her, wearing a big leather jacket. One of the best Prometheus agents of Poland, and the only one that actually knows this place.</p>
<p>Like every two months, Prometheus must return to this forgotten place, to meet someone forgotten. Despite despising this place, far from the more upper-class part of Ania's city, she must do her job.</p>
<p>Ania heads towards a group of three people, all sitting around a burning barrel. The guard follows her closely.</p>
<p>"Morning."</p>
<p>All three bums sitting turn their head simultaneously toward her. One of them is missing an eye, the ears of the one in the middle seem to have been chewed off and the last doesn't have any teeth left.</p>
<p>In her best Polish accent, she starts, "Hum, sorry to bother all of you. Does any of you know a certain Mark Wall?"</p>
<p>None of them respond. All are looking at her with these blank expressions. The teeth-less one smiles for no apparent reason, which slightly frightens Ania.</p>
<p>"He's uh… pretty short? In his fifties, wears glasses, supposed to live around here?"</p>
<p>Still no response. Looking at her as if she is a creature from another world, trying to speak their language.</p>
<p>"Maybe a picture can help? I have one in the car, if you—"</p>
<p>The guard steps in front of Ania. She reaches for her pocket and takes out her wallet, grabbing a bill with it. All around the barrel follow closely as she wiggles the green paper around.</p>
<p>"The first that can answer the lady's question gets 20 whole."</p>
<p>The damaged-ear one suddenly wakes up and raises his arm to point toward the east.</p>
<p>"There's a Mark in the big grey building about a hundred meters up there. You can't miss it."</p>
<p>Basile throws the bill at the man, thanking him for his cooperation with a nod. She then looks at Ania back, confirming to go now.</p>
<p>"I will never get used to this place." Says Ania, almost silently.</p>
<p>In her usual cold attitude, Basile doesn't look back at Ania's response as she walks toward the house.</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<hr/>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>As the years passed, Mark's genius continued to grow. In his twenties, if it weren't for the fact that he only had an interest for the impossible magic of things, the very things that would get erased from history, his name would easily be in the pantheon of the most brilliant people. His knowledge of the unknown quickly reached the ears of multiple organizations related to abnormal phenomena.</p>
<p>Despite numerous offers of higher positions, he never stayed in one for longer than a year. He popped up in one of those research facilities or followed them during exploring missions, asked many questions, took notes, and disappeared without even saying thanks.</p>
<p>In his search for knowledge, he found <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">Shanahan R'yann</span></em>. A Fae, a race he had previously known only through the many books he had read, who he shared a lot of similarities and interests, and who repeated the same method as him. They both quickly became friends. And as the years passed, they became more.</p>
<p>With the help of other people who all shared the same way of thinking, including, of course, his <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">partner</span></em>, they created their very own corporation. A research group who are tasked with using the anomalous for the benefit of everyone. When asked for a name, <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">Shanahan</span></em> responded Prometheus, the one that brought fire into the world of humans, for which he gets punished by the gods. A tale that fascinated <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">Shanahan</span></em>, and thus became Prometheus Labs Inc.</p>
<p>With each passing day, Prometheus got bigger. Collaborating with the Foundation, a new organization Mark admired, they perfected a formula he had devoted a decade to developing: Amnestics, a groundbreaking drug with the potential to revolutionize the world hidden behind the Veil. <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">Shanahan</span></em>, on the other hand, researched for the cure of the iron allergy which infected his own kind, a dream which he, too, had for many years.</p>
<p>However, in contrary to Mark, <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">Shanahan</span></em> couldn't truly achieve his dream. While the project was accepted and finished, his duty called him to war against an old foe.</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<hr/>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>"They are there."</p>
<p>The windows in the tiny room are closed with wooden boards and curtains, preventing any sunlight from shining through. The only source of light is a flickering bulb attached at the center of the ceiling by a single wire. Mark sits on a filled garbage bag and uses the surface of a wooden chair to write on a white sheet of paper.</p>
<p>"Mmm?" Mumbles Mark, not leaving his eyes out of whatever he is writing on that page.</p>
<p>"You know, the… delivery people. I think that's what you call them."</p>
<p>"Tell them to wait, I'll… come in a few."</p>
<p>Terry hesitates to say more before leaving the chamber.</p>
<p>Terry is probably the only friend that Mark made in this place, after more than 10 years. Everybody calls him Terry-no-fur, because he has a special condition that prevents him from growing any kind of hair on his pale body. He is kind, but also very shy, which Mark prefers.</p>
<p>Mark will never know Terry's name or even less his nickname, simply because he doesn't want to know the person. If he were to accidentally mention it in a discussion, Mark would make sure to forget it using his special drug. The same goes for everyone here.</p>
<p>Mark finishes his plan, which reunites countless calculations involving a perfected version of his own memor-nomenclature drug. Unfortunately, as it is often the case, the calculations failed. He mashes the paper into a ball and throws it onto the pile of countless other failed calculations and theories scribbles. He leaves the chamber with yet another taste of defeat to grumble about.</p>
<p>The delivery people from Prometheus were waiting for him in the other room. This is perhaps the only room in the house that benefits from a little outside light, the large hole in the ceiling letting in all the sun's rays. The so-called deliverymen consist of a little woman with nerdy glasses and another large woman, thrice the size of the other.</p>
<p>"You have?" He immediately asks upon appearing in front of them.</p>
<p>The huge one nods, and hands in front of her a white, cleanly folded paper bag, with the words <em>Prometheus Labs Property</em> printed in italics on the front side.</p>
<p>In exchange, he hands a mashed Post-it note with some words and numbers on it.</p>
<p>"Solucium" says Mark, "At least 20 milliliter of solucium is all you need to make that eye decoloration formula for reality benders. This will also greatly reduce the need for Gira liquid. The rest is on the paper."</p>
<p>The little one takes the paper while Mark snatches the bag, making sure his pills are there.</p>
<p>After quickly skimming the content from the yellow paper and confirming the authenticity of the claims, she finally says "Thank you for your cooperation. Prometheus currently does not have any issues on the latest projects, but if we do, I'll make sure to let you know."</p>
<p>"Mmhm. Don't you forget to distribute the food to everyone like last time."</p>
<p>"We won't, sir."</p>
<p>All leave the room in opposite ways. While leaving the building and getting to the black Cadillac, Ania looks back at the entirety of the sad place.</p>
<p>She asks the guard: "Why is he doing this? I mean, he still wants to help the Lab, but… he decided by himself to stay there? Alone? With that amount of amnestics floating through his head and considering how large and precise his removed memory is, he must suffer more than anything. We could probably help him more back in the labs."</p>
<p>"He knows." says Basile, opening the door for her, "A broken man doesn't necessarily wish to be fixed. And this one is long gone."</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<hr/>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>While the Fae people raised weapons against the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ralliston-s-proposal">Factory</a>, against the Foundation that helped the sister Mab, the same organization which he admired only a few years before, he did not even dare to show up. He was scared of dying, he feared what would happen, because he's a coward.</p>
<p>While all of them disappeared in a green flash, he was hiding in an underground facility of his own organization, trying to ignore the current events by working on the next futile Prometheus project. Knowing where <em>he</em> was.</p>
<p>Once he learned the news, that most of the Fae people have lost everything, that most of his friends and <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">lover</span></em> are all gone, he did not say a single thing. He did not dare to drop a single tear.</p>
<p>His <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">love</span></em>, unlike the rest, did not have his name stolen. He died before it could even happen, making sure to haunt every thought of Mark. Even knowing the fate of the nameless, Mark would have preferred to think of him trapped in the forest rather than in his mind.</p>
<p>For some time, Mark tried to ignore his deep feelings. He tried to continue working while hiding it all inside, but it didn't last long. His emotions exploded in his own office and he couldn't take it. No one could. He grabbed the bottle of pills of his own creation and took the entirety in one painful swallow.</p>
<p>For a moment, he forgot about his grief. The horrid events that happened quickly disappeared. He forgot his loss. But that was only a moment since the burn of his memories quickly rose again. It made him mad.</p>
<p>Inevitably, Mark quickly fell into addiction. He quit his job, burned his house, destroyed everything that may remind him of <em><span style="filter: blur(4px);">R'yann</span></em> and left the country. He sought solace in the desolation of the streets or abandoned homes of Esterberg, afar from everything that was even slightly related to his now-buried past, but still close to the people he abandoned.</p>
<p>Occasionally, he would lend a hand to Prometheus, using his skills to help with current issues they have on projects. In return, they supplied him with the drug that numbed his emotional turmoil. But his involvement with others remained fleeting, as he feared causing more pain and heartache to those who dared to get close to him.</p>
<p>Time has passed, and the proudly pioneering innovation center that was Pormetheus Labs is now a market giant of the anomalous world using war and tension around the world to sell weapons and despicable solutions. His life's work is now being used by the Foundation to hide their mistakes. It all disgusted Mark.</p>
<p>He met multiple people. Many of them got too close, so he decided to forget them and leave for another place, not to hurt them. Life became a blur of fleeting connections and transient moments. It was meaningless, all of it.</p>
<p>But he knew it.</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<hr/>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>It is now night. There are people outside, drinking and sharing a smoke. They seem happy and some of them are even dancing and singing old forgotten Fae and Yeren tunes around a small fire in the middle of the grassy field. Mark is on the opposite of these people. He found solace in the peaceful corner he had claimed for himself at the back of the house he usually sleeps in, away from the boisterous group. They talk too much and loudly, he doesn't like it. He just sits alone on an old wooden chair, gazing up at the moonlit sky. The wet grass and the moon are all the company he needs for tonight.</p>
<p>"Hey bud," Says a familiar voice behind him. Turning around, Mark saw Terry approaching with a folded plastic chair in one hand and blankets in the other. "It's freezing out there, I figured you didn't want to catch a cold."</p>
<p>Mark hesitated, preparing to explain his need for quiet, but Terry cut him off, "I know you don't like to talk. That's alright, I'll stay quiet. I just wanted to join you in your peaceful corner for once."</p>
<p>Mark thinks for a brief moment, then smiles. This expression is his way of saying "Alright. Have a seat, " without any words.</p>
<p>Terry gave Mark one of his blankets and unfolded the chair next to him. Side by side, they sat in silence, looking up at the inexistent shimmering stars. You cannot see the stars on pocket dimensions, unfortunately. The only real thing both men can admire is the brightness of the moon and pretend that the rest of the ether is beautiful.</p>
<p>Suddenly disturbing the silence of Mark, a burst of laughter louder than the others comes up from where the rest of the people are. Mark suddenly stops looking at the sky, instead viewing straight where the sound came off, where he can see people cheering and entertaining themselves. "I'll never get used to all this noise," He says in disgust.</p>
<p>"I know," Responds Terry, slightly laughing.</p>
<p>Looking back in the darkness of the night, Mark squints at the sky, hoping to see even a fraction of the stars through the layers of the dimension, but nothing. He sighs, in a mix of both disappointment and alleviation. "I might die," he says, suddenly breaking his own silence again.</p>
<p>Terry turns his head towards Mark, "…What?"</p>
<p>"These drugs I take, they mess with my brain. My mind is slowly rotting because of it. It's already nothing more than Swiss cheese, with more holes than cheese. I will soon be an empty shell of a man."</p>
<p>"Mark…" Terry starts, but he doesn't know what to say.</p>
<p>"You don't have to say anything," Continues Mark, guessing what Terry thinks. "I tried to find every way to avoid this situation, but deep down I knew it would come to this. I knew that-"</p>
<p>"This is the fourth time you told me this since yesterday." Says Terry in the calmest way possible but still abrupt enough to stop Mark. "I know. I know your situation, Mark."</p>
<p>There is another long silence.</p>
<p>Mark scoffs in disbelief, "…Really?"</p>
<p>"Yes. And each time I told you to get some actual help. But you refuse. You refuse even hearing me."</p>
<p>"…. Really."</p>
<p>Yet another long quietude. Mark seems lost in thought while Terry looks at him in search of any reaction. A few tears, a frown, a grimace, but nothing to shift the old man's bland face. A sound comes up in the area where people are still singing. Someone suddenly screams and jumps around while dancing, they are louder than all the others. Again, Mark looks in their direction in disgust.</p>
<p>"I'll never get used to all this noise."</p>
<p>Terry sighs, knowing no matter what he says, it won't change a thing. "I know," He says, discouraged.</p>
<p>With or without forgetting, Mark is stubborn, and he will let him enjoy his peaceful silence as he requested. <em>At least he knows</em> Terry thinks while staring back at the night sky.</p>
<p>As they sat together in the night, Mark noticed a single purple flower amidst the tall grass and weeds in front of him. Despite the darkness, Mark can clearly see the plant. It is leaning towards his position as if reaching out to him. Some of the petals of the plants are brownish and on the ground, it's almost dead if not already. The antimemetic cloak it possessed has probably worn off now, soon she will be uprooted by the wind and become the cadaver of a wilted flower, not different than any other.</p>
<p>Mark closes his eyes.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="licensebox">
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<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div>
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<p>Cite this page as:</p>
<div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item">
<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/zeniths-are-for-those-who-deserve-them">Zeniths Are For Those Who Deserve Them</a>" by Felixou, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/zeniths-are-for-those-who-deserve-them">https://scpwiki.com/zeniths-are-for-those-who-deserve-them</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> zeniths.png<br/>
<strong>Name:</strong> You see in the broken mirror your shattered dreams.<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Tyler Yeo<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY 2.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/56044513@N06/16688776437">Flickr</a></p>
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= **[[[wniosek-o-dotacje-na-opracowanie-srodka-przeciwko-alergii | Before Reading]]]**
> You're Mark, right? Mark Wall?
> Oh, you're going there next, too?
> I was thinking, since we're both low on cash, maybe we could live together?
> How about… Prometheus?
> Wow. Even the Foundation is in on this idea of yours. I mean, that's //crazy huge//!
[[div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]]
//I hope you will forgive me//
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> I have an idea I'm working on.
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//I think you will understand//
[[/div]]
> I want to change history. The shameful history of my people. And I want your help.
[[div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]]
//If, for some reason, I do not return,//
[[/div]]
> Oneiroic rituals... yes, that could work.
[[div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]]
//I want you to know//
[[/div]]
> They accepted it! They approved the project!
[[div style="display: inline-block; border:dashed 1px #999999; background:#F5F5F5; float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]]
//I am eternally grateful for all the help you have given me.//
//Your best friend,//
[[/div]]
------
Mark wakes up in a cold sweat and gasping for air.
He holds his head with both hands. Another one of these dreams, and that headache is even stronger now.
On the dusty and squeaky wooden floor, he reaches for his glasses, not noticing anymore that one of the lenses is fractured.
He painfully gets up from the worn mattress, coughs a bit to clear his mouth and starts walking towards the doorless entrance.
Into the corridors, the cold, cracked walls are covered with spray paint of unreadable words. He passes the entrance to the living room. There is no light or window, but Mark can see a man lying on the room's only couch, a bottle covered with brown paper in hand. The guy notices him.
"Hey Mark," says the man. Mark hates it when someone mentions his name. He hands the bottle towards him, "you want a sip or two?"
"...You know I don't do that shit."
A short belly laugh comes out of the man. "Just teasing ya, don't worry. Makin' sure you haven't forgotten who you are."
And he goes back to drinking. Mark continues towards the bathrooms, hoping they are not taken.
He stops at the door with the letters "WC" poorly written with a black marker. He opens it; an arid smell wafts out of the room and hits Mark's nostrils directly, but at least there's no one there. He first relieves himself on the toilet, not looking down at whatever is clogging it, and then steps up to the mirror.
He grabs the pill bottle sitting on the sink's only corner. "Class-C" is written on the side. He looks into the container. One remaining pill left, which he immediately swallows.
He looks into what is left of the mirror in front of him. He realizes it's been a long time since he hasn't looked at himself.
The surface of his face is wrinkled and rough. His unkempt grey beard is big now; he can't even see his dried lips anymore. Matted, and also grey, hair hangs in uneven clumps. He doesn't dare to smile, knowing his teeth have turned into a shade of yellow and brown. The circles around his eyes are darker than ever, showing that the latest nights have been nothing but painful with those dreams recently.
He remembers why he doesn't look at the reflection often: he hates it. He hates remembering.
It's also wet below his eyes and doesn't know who for.
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Mark Wall is a certified genius. He was born with unusual logic and intellect levels, sometimes even scaring his father and mother.
At a very young age, Mark Wall spent his whole days at the library, studying ideas and concepts that baffled even the most renowned professors in his hometown. He had a certain //detachment// compared to other kids. Always cold, distant, and didn't like talking that much. He preferred when the books themselves were talking to him, not asking any questions back while it told everything he needed to know.
At the time of ten, Mark finds a special kind of flower growing in the backyard of his home. Instead of removing all weeds from the garden like his father asked, he kept this one plant untouched. It had purple petals with little ugly stains of green and was slightly bigger than all the others.
He was intrigued by this flower, not for its beauty, like many flora he had seen in books, but because his father had left it untouched for quite some time. When asked, his father said he did not know of such plant. Mark first thought it could be because his old man valued the importance of this flower, and tried to hide its existence for some reason. Or, his second hypothesis was that the flower itself affected his own father so as not to be uprooted.
Either way, it interested him. When he showed the plant to his mother, she claimed not to see anything and thanked Mark for clearing up the entirety of the garden. Mark's suspicions raised higher. It didn't take long before Mark studied heavily this flower's composition, and found it had a particular //cloaking// ability, making it hard for people to remember or even see the plant. And for some reason, he had a certain //resistance// to the effect of the plant. This discovery excited him.
Intrigued by the unique flower he had discovered, young Mark Wall couldn't resist experimenting with its sap. He hoped that perhaps this extraordinary plant possessed some hidden properties he could exploit, maybe even use it to persuade his parents to grant him more pocket money. However, as anticipated, his attempts proved futile due to his lack of experience. Of course, the young lad did not give up so easily.
Without knowing it yet, Mark found an antimemetically cloaked vegetal.
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"Are you sure it's there?"
The guard nods.
Ania sighs. She hates this place. You'd think a ghetto in a magical city like Esterberg would be somewhat different, but no. It's as sad and depressing to see as every other. A place for bums and desperados of the anomalous world, trying to pass the day by buying drugs or getting money in order to get more high.
This district, in particular, smells rotten to Ania no matter the direction she is facing. Weeds grow on every square meter of concrete, and every house wears the same plain design looks as if it's been built in less than a week, with the foundations ready to fall in after years of use. Except for the Cadillac she got out from, the other automobiles she can perceive have collected rust and have all their windows broken, with cobwebs and plants now filling the passengers' seats. It feels like all of it has been abandoned a while ago, the only thing still alive are the people. Sitting around, smoking, talking, and sometimes just sitting on the floor waiting with their eyes wide open for the effect of their favorite stimulant to wear off. It's not the safest place either; that's why she is followed by Basile, a woman large enough to put two other Ania in her, wearing a big leather jacket. One of the best Prometheus agents of Poland, and the only one that actually knows this place.
Like every two months, Prometheus must return to this forgotten place, to meet someone forgotten. Despite despising this place, far from the more upper-class part of Ania's city, she must do her job.
Ania heads towards a group of three people, all sitting around a burning barrel. The guard follows her closely.
"Morning."
All three bums sitting turn their head simultaneously toward her. One of them is missing an eye, the ears of the one in the middle seem to have been chewed off and the last doesn't have any teeth left.
In her best Polish accent, she starts, "Hum, sorry to bother all of you. Does any of you know a certain Mark Wall?"
None of them respond. All are looking at her with these blank expressions. The teeth-less one smiles for no apparent reason, which slightly frightens Ania.
"He's uh… pretty short? In his fifties, wears glasses, supposed to live around here?"
Still no response. Looking at her as if she is a creature from another world, trying to speak their language.
"Maybe a picture can help? I have one in the car, if you—"
The guard steps in front of Ania. She reaches for her pocket and takes out her wallet, grabbing a bill with it. All around the barrel follow closely as she wiggles the green paper around.
"The first that can answer the lady's question gets 20 whole."
The damaged-ear one suddenly wakes up and raises his arm to point toward the east.
"There's a Mark in the big grey building about a hundred meters up there. You can't miss it."
Basile throws the bill at the man, thanking him for his cooperation with a nod. She then looks at Ania back, confirming to go now.
"I will never get used to this place." Says Ania, almost silently.
In her usual cold attitude, Basile doesn't look back at Ania's response as she walks toward the house.
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As the years passed, Mark's genius continued to grow. In his twenties, if it weren't for the fact that he only had an interest for the impossible magic of things, the very things that would get erased from history, his name would easily be in the pantheon of the most brilliant people. His knowledge of the unknown quickly reached the ears of multiple organizations related to abnormal phenomena.
Despite numerous offers of higher positions, he never stayed in one for longer than a year. He popped up in one of those research facilities or followed them during exploring missions, asked many questions, took notes, and disappeared without even saying thanks.
In his search for knowledge, he found //[[span style="filter: blur(4px);"]]Shanahan R'yann[[/span]]//. A Fae, a race he had previously known only through the many books he had read, who he shared a lot of similarities and interests, and who repeated the same method as him. They both quickly became friends. And as the years passed, they became more.
With the help of other people who all shared the same way of thinking, including, of course, his //[[span style=" filter: blur(4px);"]]partner[[/span]]//, they created their very own corporation. A research group who are tasked with using the anomalous for the benefit of everyone. When asked for a name, //[[span style=" filter: blur(4px);"]]Shanahan[[/span]]// responded Prometheus, the one that brought fire into the world of humans, for which he gets punished by the gods. A tale that fascinated //[[span style="filter: blur(4px);"]]Shanahan[[/span]]//, and thus became Prometheus Labs Inc.
With each passing day, Prometheus got bigger. Collaborating with the Foundation, a new organization Mark admired, they perfected a formula he had devoted a decade to developing: Amnestics, a groundbreaking drug with the potential to revolutionize the world hidden behind the Veil. //[[span style=" filter: blur(4px);"]]Shanahan[[/span]]//, on the other hand, researched for the cure of the iron allergy which infected his own kind, a dream which he, too, had for many years.
However, in contrary to Mark, //[[span style="filter: blur(4px);"]]Shanahan[[/span]]// couldn't truly achieve his dream. While the project was accepted and finished, his duty called him to war against an old foe.
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"They are there."
The windows in the tiny room are closed with wooden boards and curtains, preventing any sunlight from shining through. The only source of light is a flickering bulb attached at the center of the ceiling by a single wire. Mark sits on a filled garbage bag and uses the surface of a wooden chair to write on a white sheet of paper.
"Mmm?" Mumbles Mark, not leaving his eyes out of whatever he is writing on that page.
"You know, the… delivery people. I think that's what you call them."
"Tell them to wait, I'll… come in a few."
Terry hesitates to say more before leaving the chamber.
Terry is probably the only friend that Mark made in this place, after more than 10 years. Everybody calls him Terry-no-fur, because he has a special condition that prevents him from growing any kind of hair on his pale body. He is kind, but also very shy, which Mark prefers.
Mark will never know Terry's name or even less his nickname, simply because he doesn't want to know the person. If he were to accidentally mention it in a discussion, Mark would make sure to forget it using his special drug. The same goes for everyone here.
Mark finishes his plan, which reunites countless calculations involving a perfected version of his own memor-nomenclature drug. Unfortunately, as it is often the case, the calculations failed. He mashes the paper into a ball and throws it onto the pile of countless other failed calculations and theories scribbles. He leaves the chamber with yet another taste of defeat to grumble about.
The delivery people from Prometheus were waiting for him in the other room. This is perhaps the only room in the house that benefits from a little outside light, the large hole in the ceiling letting in all the sun's rays. The so-called deliverymen consist of a little woman with nerdy glasses and another large woman, thrice the size of the other.
"You have?" He immediately asks upon appearing in front of them.
The huge one nods, and hands in front of her a white, cleanly folded paper bag, with the words //Prometheus Labs Property// printed in italics on the front side.
In exchange, he hands a mashed Post-it note with some words and numbers on it.
"Solucium" says Mark, "At least 20 milliliter of solucium is all you need to make that eye decoloration formula for reality benders. This will also greatly reduce the need for Gira liquid. The rest is on the paper."
The little one takes the paper while Mark snatches the bag, making sure his pills are there.
After quickly skimming the content from the yellow paper and confirming the authenticity of the claims, she finally says "Thank you for your cooperation. Prometheus currently does not have any issues on the latest projects, but if we do, I'll make sure to let you know."
"Mmhm. Don't you forget to distribute the food to everyone like last time."
"We won't, sir."
All leave the room in opposite ways. While leaving the building and getting to the black Cadillac, Ania looks back at the entirety of the sad place.
She asks the guard: "Why is he doing this? I mean, he still wants to help the Lab, but... he decided by himself to stay there? Alone? With that amount of amnestics floating through his head and considering how large and precise his removed memory is, he must suffer more than anything. We could probably help him more back in the labs."
"He knows." says Basile, opening the door for her, "A broken man doesn't necessarily wish to be fixed. And this one is long gone."
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While the Fae people raised weapons against the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ralliston-s-proposal Factory], against the Foundation that helped the sister Mab, the same organization which he admired only a few years before, he did not even dare to show up. He was scared of dying, he feared what would happen, because he's a coward.
While all of them disappeared in a green flash, he was hiding in an underground facility of his own organization, trying to ignore the current events by working on the next futile Prometheus project. Knowing where //he// was.
Once he learned the news, that most of the Fae people have lost everything, that most of his friends and //[[span style=" filter: blur(4px);"]]lover[[/span]]// are all gone, he did not say a single thing. He did not dare to drop a single tear.
His //[[span style=" filter: blur(4px);"]]love[[/span]]//, unlike the rest, did not have his name stolen. He died before it could even happen, making sure to haunt every thought of Mark. Even knowing the fate of the nameless, Mark would have preferred to think of him trapped in the forest rather than in his mind.
For some time, Mark tried to ignore his deep feelings. He tried to continue working while hiding it all inside, but it didn't last long. His emotions exploded in his own office and he couldn't take it. No one could. He grabbed the bottle of pills of his own creation and took the entirety in one painful swallow.
For a moment, he forgot about his grief. The horrid events that happened quickly disappeared. He forgot his loss. But that was only a moment since the burn of his memories quickly rose again. It made him mad.
Inevitably, Mark quickly fell into addiction. He quit his job, burned his house, destroyed everything that may remind him of //[[span style=" filter: blur(4px);"]]R'yann[[/span]]// and left the country. He sought solace in the desolation of the streets or abandoned homes of Esterberg, afar from everything that was even slightly related to his now-buried past, but still close to the people he abandoned.
Occasionally, he would lend a hand to Prometheus, using his skills to help with current issues they have on projects. In return, they supplied him with the drug that numbed his emotional turmoil. But his involvement with others remained fleeting, as he feared causing more pain and heartache to those who dared to get close to him.
Time has passed, and the proudly pioneering innovation center that was Pormetheus Labs is now a market giant of the anomalous world using war and tension around the world to sell weapons and despicable solutions. His life's work is now being used by the Foundation to hide their mistakes. It all disgusted Mark.
He met multiple people. Many of them got too close, so he decided to forget them and leave for another place, not to hurt them. Life became a blur of fleeting connections and transient moments. It was meaningless, all of it.
But he knew it.
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It is now night. There are people outside, drinking and sharing a smoke. They seem happy and some of them are even dancing and singing old forgotten Fae and Yeren tunes around a small fire in the middle of the grassy field. Mark is on the opposite of these people. He found solace in the peaceful corner he had claimed for himself at the back of the house he usually sleeps in, away from the boisterous group. They talk too much and loudly, he doesn't like it. He just sits alone on an old wooden chair, gazing up at the moonlit sky. The wet grass and the moon are all the company he needs for tonight.
"Hey bud," Says a familiar voice behind him. Turning around, Mark saw Terry approaching with a folded plastic chair in one hand and blankets in the other. "It's freezing out there, I figured you didn't want to catch a cold."
Mark hesitated, preparing to explain his need for quiet, but Terry cut him off, "I know you don't like to talk. That's alright, I'll stay quiet. I just wanted to join you in your peaceful corner for once."
Mark thinks for a brief moment, then smiles. This expression is his way of saying "Alright. Have a seat, " without any words.
Terry gave Mark one of his blankets and unfolded the chair next to him. Side by side, they sat in silence, looking up at the inexistent shimmering stars. You cannot see the stars on pocket dimensions, unfortunately. The only real thing both men can admire is the brightness of the moon and pretend that the rest of the ether is beautiful.
Suddenly disturbing the silence of Mark, a burst of laughter louder than the others comes up from where the rest of the people are. Mark suddenly stops looking at the sky, instead viewing straight where the sound came off, where he can see people cheering and entertaining themselves. "I'll never get used to all this noise," He says in disgust.
"I know," Responds Terry, slightly laughing.
Looking back in the darkness of the night, Mark squints at the sky, hoping to see even a fraction of the stars through the layers of the dimension, but nothing. He sighs, in a mix of both disappointment and alleviation. "I might die," he says, suddenly breaking his own silence again.
Terry turns his head towards Mark, "...What?"
"These drugs I take, they mess with my brain. My mind is slowly rotting because of it. It's already nothing more than Swiss cheese, with more holes than cheese. I will soon be an empty shell of a man."
"Mark..." Terry starts, but he doesn't know what to say.
"You don't have to say anything," Continues Mark, guessing what Terry thinks. "I tried to find every way to avoid this situation, but deep down I knew it would come to this. I knew that-"
"This is the fourth time you told me this since yesterday." Says Terry in the calmest way possible but still abrupt enough to stop Mark. "I know. I know your situation, Mark."
There is another long silence.
Mark scoffs in disbelief, "...Really?"
"Yes. And each time I told you to get some actual help. But you refuse. You refuse even hearing me."
".... Really."
Yet another long quietude. Mark seems lost in thought while Terry looks at him in search of any reaction. A few tears, a frown, a grimace, but nothing to shift the old man's bland face. A sound comes up in the area where people are still singing. Someone suddenly screams and jumps around while dancing, they are louder than all the others. Again, Mark looks in their direction in disgust.
"I'll never get used to all this noise."
Terry sighs, knowing no matter what he says, it won't change a thing. "I know," He says, discouraged.
With or without forgetting, Mark is stubborn, and he will let him enjoy his peaceful silence as he requested. //At least he knows// Terry thinks while staring back at the night sky.
As they sat together in the night, Mark noticed a single purple flower amidst the tall grass and weeds in front of him. Despite the darkness, Mark can clearly see the plant. It is leaning towards his position as if reaching out to him. Some of the petals of the plants are brownish and on the ground, it's almost dead if not already. The antimemetic cloak it possessed has probably worn off now, soon she will be uprooted by the wind and become the cadaver of a wilted flower, not different than any other.
Mark closes his eyes.
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> **Filename:** zeniths.png
> **Name:** You see in the broken mirror your shattered dreams.
> **Author:** Tyler Yeo
> **License:** CC BY 2.0
> **Source Link:** [https://www.flickr.com/photos/56044513@N06/16688776437 Flickr]
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clean-up-for-customer-082 | <html><body><div id="page-content">
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<p>"It becomes problematic to serve dinner once your guests are emotionally invested in the meal, so to speak."</p>
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<p><strong>Title:</strong> Clean-up for Customer 082<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/mr-panik" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6459836); return false;"><img alt="Mr Panik" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=6459836&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736583001" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=6459836)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/mr-panik" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6459836); return false;">Mr Panik</a></span><br/>
⚠️ <strong>Content warning:</strong> This article contains a content warning: drug use, cannibalism, gore, suggested animal abuse.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"So, you just have to go clean up after some guy's dinner party?"</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Yup."</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"How is that abnormal? You said you work for a place that cleans up after abnormalities."</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Caleb, my team lead is going to clean up a whale that washed up on the shore of a lake today. I dunno how it all works. I just clean, man."</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Alright. Alright."</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"…"</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Hey, Beau, what's for dinner?"</em></p>
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<p>Beau wasn't sure what the "Colonial Revival" Dee told him to look for was, but as he looked at the latest job location for Customer 082 — Mr. Fernand — from the bottom of the driveway, he supposed it had something to do with being rich. High, whitewashed walls lined with pillars and neat blue shutters for the windows smiled at him as he inched the clanking van emblazoned with the words SAFE CLEANUP PROFESSIONALS down the driveway in the early morning sun.</p>
<p>Apparently, Mr. Fernand was a gourmand who hosted parties around town that often left quite a mess — a mess that only the Foundation was willing to clean up. His mentor, Dee, had told him all the new guys had to do it at least once. Beau didn't mind. If Mr. Fernand hung out in fancy houses like this, he'd clean with a smile on his face. Here, in the wealthy suburbs of Pierre, the stillness of <em>some</em> isolation blocked out the noise from the world outside. It was truly peaceful and as Beau approached the front door, he found himself smiling.</p>
<p>As Beau ascended the stairs to the door on the chilly morning, he noticed it stood slightly ajar. He froze, staring for a second, wondering why anyone would be so silly. It was freezing and all this cold air wasn't going to be good for a person. At least, that's what his gran had told him. Getting closer, he couldn't help but notice the red fingerprints smeared on the door. He peered at them closely, wondering what it was going to take to get that off.</p>
<p>After a second of considering the problem in front of him, he realised he was being watched from deeper in the house. A looming shadow from the top of the stairs peered down at him and Beau took it as his cue.</p>
<p>"Hello?" Beau said uncertainly. "This is Beau from the cleaning agency. SCP - Cleanliness Guaranteed!"</p>
<p>Thundering footsteps approached the door hurriedly and Beau's stomach knotted, waiting for him to be told he had the wrong house and that he was going to get melted by an old god if he didn't leave immediately. As the door swung open, though, Mr. Fernand beamed down at him from his towering full height. His wide, lopsided mouth approximated a smile, a smile Beau couldn't help but return. Happy clients were always a joy, especially if they were smiling before he even started.</p>
<p>"My good friend!" Mr. Fernand spoke in reedy, heavily-accented English and stood back to let him into the entrance hall. It was a little cramped, but the light from the window above the door bathed the room in a welcoming warmth. The smudges on the floor were going to be a nightmare to deal with, but he was getting the idea it was the least of his worries. "It is so good of you to come out on such short notice. Usually I schedule things more comfortably, but last night's affair was so short notice, I didn't have a chance to set anything up with the agency. Thank you so much for your time."</p>
<p>"Not at all!" Beau chuckled. "This is way better than the whale my colleagues have to go scrape up this morning. A dinner party, I can deal with."</p>
<p>"It's more the prep for the dinner party that needs to get cleaned up," Mr. Fernand explained, indicating for Beau to follow as he disappeared into the adjoining living room. "We had venison and I was preparing the elk and let's just say it got messy. The garage and dining room are going to need some proper work. Don't mind the smudges. There was quite a sticky basting sauce."</p>
<p>"That's not a problem. It's what I'm here for. You'll just need to show me the area of biggest concern for you right now."</p>
<p>"Sure, sure!" said Mr. Fernand. "I'll be happy to."</p>
<p>"Also, may I say, nice cravat?" Beau said, his eye catching another broad smear along a wall.</p>
<p>"Oh! You like it? It was a gift from the Prince of Venezuela! We met last week for his birthday and he just handed it to me. What was I to do, say no?" Mr. Fernand tutted. "Of course, not."</p>
<p>"Yeah, that you're totally right. You can't look a gift like that in the mouth. The Prince would have been angry."</p>
<p>Mr. Fernand didn't stop nattering about the Prince as he led the way through the elegant home. Beau was there to work though, so as much as he was getting lost in the tales Fernand was telling, he made sure to keep scanning the space for marks. There were a lot of them. Fernand's guests, whoever they were, had thoroughly enjoyed their dinner, it seemed.</p>
<p>A loud thud from upstairs stopped them in their tracks. Mr. Fernand's eyes shot towards the staircase, his ear cocked, listening closely.</p>
<p>"Is everything okay?" Beau asked.</p>
<p>"Yes. The dog is just being naughty again." Fernand said, his expression relaxing before he slowly nodded and carried on leading the way, satisfied the dog had gone quiet.</p>
<p>"What breed are they?"</p>
<p>"Chihuahua," said Fernand and signaled for Beau to follow. "Come. I'll show you where the party starts."</p>
<p>Beau dutifully followed, but he was pretty sure he was getting the idea of what waited for him in the garage from last night's debris scattered about. The kitchen was a mess of blood and viscera — looked like lungs, to be specific — marring the sink, stove and counter space. Fernand, to his credit, seemed at least a little embarrassed at the state of the place and Beau wondered if he'd need to call in Dee to help with this one. It was still early, he reminded himself; there would be enough time.</p>
<p>"So as part of my show for the guests, I start in here," Fernand said, leading the way into the wide garage down a path lined with flowerbeds waiting for spring. "This is where I gut and clean the animal for the guests. Of course, I keep the killing of the animal for before. It becomes problematic to serve dinner once your guests are emotionally invested in the meal, so to speak."</p>
<p>"Whoa!" said Beau as he stepped in to find yet more viscera and blood centered around a stainless steel hook hanging in the center of the room. Unlike the kitchen, there was no control to this mess. Somehow, Fernand had got bits of his pre-cooked dinner on the roof, on the walls and on the floor. "This is so interactive!"</p>
<p>"You understand!" Fernand clapped his hands together, delighted. "I honestly just like putting on a show for my guests and having them choose the parts they'll be eating draws them so much closer to the experience, don't you think?"</p>
<p>"Yeah, that sounds pretty immersive, alright!" Beau smiled, turning to regard the garage. "I'm going to need to get started, though. It wasn't just your guests that were immersed last night."</p>
<p>"Of course! Of course! Let me get out of your way! If you need anything, anything at all, I'm just upstairs."</p>
<p>"Thanks a lot! And it's just in here, the kitchen and dining room, right?"</p>
<p>"Oh yes, the housekeeper comes on Monday, but there's just no way I was going to call her in for this," he said and a grin spread across his face. "She doesn't quite have the stomach for my parties."</p>
<p>A long silence hung between them as Fernand's eyes traced lines across Beau's face. But Beau quickly began to feel the weight of his backpack and dumped it on the ground and brightly said, "Well, I better get to work!"</p>
<hr/>
<p>In the words of Mister Fritz Diedrich Williams, Administrator of the Safe Cleanup Professionals Foundation, "An SCProfessional's best friend is soap, water and <em>elbow grease!</em> Get scrubbing."</p>
<p>So that's what Beau did. He took a quick sweep of the mess of the house and gathered what he could. Fortunately, Mr. Fernand had put most of the leftovers away already, and Beau had to admit, the crackling looked pretty good. Here and there, the streaks of a cloth made from a shirt that now sat crusted and dried on the edge of the sink told Beau that Mr. Fernand had probably tried to clean up himself before giving up. He couldn't help but chuckle. Some people just needed that extra bit of help, and from how hard Fernand was clenching his jaw, this was all probably pretty overwhelming for him.</p>
<p>"Eat shit, Dee," he said, dropping the last of some bones, marrow sucked clean, into the trash and heading for the oozing lungs in the sink. "This is way better than whale clean-up."</p>
<p>He clapped his hands free of dust and sticky sinew over the trashcan and took a deep breath before heading back to the van. The pressure hose was his favourite part and the set-up would take a minute. Of course, part of that set-up meant disappearing behind the garage to smoke a joint. There was no way he was going to be away from management's eyes and <em>not</em> have some fun. Besides, the garage was an abattoir after Fernand's performance art and getting stoned would only help him appreciate it more.</p>
<p>Dee's weed harshed his throat more than he liked, but it was weed in South Dakota, so he really didn't have high expectations. He knew better than to have expectations at all. He'd learned the hard way.</p>
<p>With a smile on his face and <em>Paper Planes</em> blaring in his ears, Beau set to work. SCP didn't do much fancy in the way of chemicals, from what he could tell. It really was just elbow grease and soap, he was pretty sure. He did get to meet interesting people like Mr. Fernand and knowing that werewolves actually <em>did</em> exist was pretty cool. Then again, he'd kind of always known it, but it was like a war on the other side of the world — out of sight, out of mind.</p>
<p>The rhythmic scrape of the broom's hard bristles slowly scrubbed away Fernand's theatrics from the night before as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Beau had worked up a firm sweat despite the winter cold and was taking a break round back with more of his joint when a shadow from the house caught his attention.</p>
<p>"Shit!" He hissed, stubbing the roach dead on the bottom of his shoe, trying to exhale what he could. He was confident Fernand wouldn't smell anything as he clambered out from behind the garage. "Mr. Fernand, I'm so sorry! I was just taking a look out back to see if that may need attention. You know we have wonderful gardening services, too?"</p>
<p>"I'll keep that in mind for the spring!" Fernand said cheerily, casting his eyes towards the gaping maw of the garage and nodding. "You're making very good progress. Fritz sure knows how to hire."</p>
<p>"Thank you, but I just think the mess was pretty controlled, honestly." He wasn't a good liar, but what else was there to say? He didn't take compliments well. "Just needs some elbow grease. I hope you don't mind, I moved the freezer. There was blood behind it that I wanted to get out."</p>
<p>"You moved the freezer?"</p>
<p>"Yeah, I'm pretty good at moving things."</p>
<p>"I see." Fernand's eyes moved between the freezer and Beau for a few seconds before he smiled widely again. "That's wonderful news! You're very thorough and that is honestly so appreciated. Not enough people take pride in their work these days and it's that kind of dedication that will carry you far young man!"</p>
<p>"You're too kind."</p>
<p>"Would you like some lemonade? All this work won't be good for you without a refreshment!"</p>
<p>"That'd be —" A crash came from the nearby second floor window followed immediately by a loud yelp.</p>
<p>"That darn dog!" Fernand snarled and then he set off with urgent steps towards the house before chiming over his shoulder. "I'll be right back with your lemonade!"</p>
<p>"Thank you!"</p>
<p>Beau chuckled as he watched the behemoth of a man disappear into the house. He was busy putting his earphones back in, when suddenly a piercing shriek cut through the air from the house. Beau's head swiveled in the direction of the noise and he saw through the open window as Fernand stared down at a flailing mass of hair jittering from just below the window sill. Obviously his dog was quite excitable. Cold fury crossed Fernand's face and just as he looked like he was about to erupt, he saw Beau watching.</p>
<p>"Oh, Beau! I'm so sorry," he cried from through the window, stepping around the agitated animal. "My dog seems to have gone potty on my rug. I'll have to handle this before I bring you that lemonade, but if you're really quite thirsty you can help yourself to some in the refrigerator."</p>
<p>"Sure thing, Mr. Fernand! Do you need help with that mess? It's kind of what I'm here for."</p>
<p>"No, no!" Fernand said, hastily. "You just listen to your music and keep busy there or you'll never get finished. It's just a small mess. I can handle this."</p>
<p>Without another word, Fernand stepped back and drew the curtains closed with a flourish, which, Beau thought as he put his earphones back in, wasn't going to help with the smell. Especially considering how big that chihuahua was.</p>
<hr/>
<p>The dining room wasn't as bad as it could have been, Beau reckoned. If the prep areas were abattoirs, he had half expected the dining room to have food in places he didn't know were places. One thing he was worried about though was the piece of <em>something</em> that had somehow hit the roof and stayed there. He'd need to get that down, but that was a worry for later and so he turned his attention to the kitchen floors. With Single Ladies on repeat, he set to work.</p>
<p>Mr. Fernand never did come back with that lemonade, but Beau just laughed it off. He was probably having a fit over some dog shit on some too-expensive rug. Thank God the downstairs had wooden floors. He could stomach some of the gross things that the SCProfessionals had to deal with, but fighting to get blood out of a carpet was just a nightmare no matter how you approached it. And Mr. Fernand's obviously expensive taste told Beau that in this house, he was more likely to destroy a rug by cleaning it than anything else.</p>
<p>He'd been surprised to find wealth like this in Pierre. To be honest he'd been surprised to find anything in Pierre, South Dakota, at all. After his mom forged a path here with a boyfriend who left her a few weeks later and with his own dreams of living in L.A. just refusing to materialize, there hadn't been much choice but to pack up and head north.</p>
<p>Now here he was, more steadily employed than most of his friends back in Philadelphia but with far less prospects. Proven, he realized, by the fact that he was currently wrestling a large bone out from behind a cabinet in the dining room. Like much of what he'd seen, how it got there was a mystery and from the size of Mr. Fernand, he could only assume his aggressive eating was a persistent threat to the surrounding environment. Somehow this bone (was that a femur?) was lodged between the leg of the heavy wooden cabinet and the wall. It <em>wasn't</em> coming loose.</p>
<p>"How the fuck…" Beau mumbled and he squatted next to the cabinet, gripping the bottom rim with his fingers barely an inch from the floor. Then with well-practiced patience and the fear of throwing his back out sitting on his shoulder, he lifted.</p>
<p>It took a second of nothing happening before finally he felt that shift that told him he'd won. Just a few centimeters was all he needed. He slowly brought himself to his full height, edging upward bit-by-bit, till he heard the clatter of the bone coming loose. He aimed a few frantic kicks in the direction of the clatter and sent it spinning out from under the cabinet and under the table. He watched it ricochet for a bit, amused, then he slowly set the cabinet down again so he could go retrieve his find.</p>
<p>The bone was quite large, which was probably why he thought it was a femur, but then he had to ask if elks had femurs? They probably did, but were they this big? How big was an elk? He inspected the bone more closely, seeing the meat had been cleanly stripped from it and it had been gnawed on. He froze.</p>
<p>Why were these bite marks so blunt? These didn't look like they were made by dog's teeth. Unless…</p>
<p>"Hello, Beau!" Mr. Fernand's voice chimed, announcing his entry. He carried a silver tray, tiny in his massive hand, laden with two glasses and a jug of lemonade. "I see you didn't have any lemonade! You should have helped yourself. I'm so sorry I took so long, but my little baby just went poopy all over and I had to clean it up."</p>
<p>"Yeah, it's no problem!" Beau said, turning around to find Mr. Fernand standing so close he could smell the sweat mixing with his too-sweet cologne.</p>
<p>"What do you have there?" Mr. Fernand asked through his perpetually gritted teeth. His beady eyes inspected the bone and Beau in turn.</p>
<p>"Oh, yeah, I found this behind the cabinet."</p>
<p>"You moved the cabinet?"</p>
<p>"Oh! Yeah, I'm great at moving stuff."</p>
<p>"I'm glad to hear that, but tell me, you seem confused." Mr. Fernand peered closer, almost vivisecting him with his gaze. "Why's that?"</p>
<p>Beau looked from Mr. Fernand to the bone, to the tray of lemonade that looked really welcoming and back to Mr. Fernand and said, "Well, I just think this isn't an appropriate chew toy for your dog. I don't know if that's rude of me, but I just don't."</p>
<p>"I-" Mr. Fernand leaned back to look at Beau from his full height once more, clearly perplexed. "Why do you say that?"</p>
<p>"Well, look," Beau pointed to the bite marks. "Your dog's old, isn't it? It's going poopy on the carpet and it's teeth are super blunt. I think these kinds of chew toys are bad for its gums. It may need a softer chewie."</p>
<p>Mr. Fernand stood silently watching him for a bit, clearly processing what he'd heard. Beau didn't like giving unsolicited advice, but he just didn't like the idea of a dog hurting itself by accident. Mr. Fernand probably didn't even know it was bad for the dog, which was the only reason Beau had said anything. It'd be very inappropriate for him to speak to customers like that normally, but this was for a dog and he wasn't going to apologize for it.</p>
<p>"It had never occurred to me," Mr. Fernand said meekly, his expression shifting suddenly. "I'm so sorry. I'll make sure to get that on the list immediately. I'll go get fresh toys when you're done here today."</p>
<p>"Oh, you don't need to apologize. You probably didn't even know."</p>
<p>"You're right, but still, the thought that I've caused my beloved any harm is just too much right now," Mr. Fernand held out his hand (more a paw really) and looked suddenly misty-eyed. "Hand it over. Let me dispose of the foul thing!"</p>
<p>Mr. Fernand was taking this very seriously, but if this dramatic Frenchman wanted to atone, who was Beau to stop him? He held the bone out and Fernand snatched it away and disappeared back into the house.</p>
<p>"Thank you for the lemonade!" Beau called after him.</p>
<hr/>
<p>The lemonade really was very good and he kept a glass with him as he worked, making sure the old wood was properly polished and the room properly aired after the smell of barbecue sauce (there was definitely smokey-chipotle sauce at play, too) had pervaded the air so thickly Beau felt he could dip a buffalo wing in it. He still hadn't managed to find a way to get whatever was on the roof off and Mr. Fernand had disappeared so while a ladder was out of the question, he moved on.</p>
<p>The kitchen was his final task and fortunately, the earlier clean-up had helped a lot. Mr. Fernand had also been very conscientious and not added any major mess to the kitchen at all. So with Secondhand Serenade screaming about falling for someone to keep him company, he began to mop the marble.</p>
<p>Oddly, while being a cleaning service had never been where he saw himself, this was not unlike what he would have ended up doing at a studio in L.A. so, he liked to see something cosmic in that. Each stroke of the mop was pretty therapeutic too. In the garage, he'd worked in short, quick strokes, scrubbing the blood out of the concrete with frenetic vigour.</p>
<p>Here, his strokes were long and firm, almost languidly heavy, drawing blood and worse off the tiles and making them sparkle more and more as he went. The dishes had already run in the dishwasher, so making this place shine was the last order of business for the day. As his reflection became more clear in the floor beneath him, Beau couldn't help but smile.</p>
<p>It was during his return to Single Ladies that he nearly twisted an ankle as he did a double-take watching the mystery-whatever that had been stuck to the adjoining dining room's roof suddenly come loose and plopped down onto the floor.</p>
<p>"Oh, cool." He said and walked over, pulling his earphones out of his ears. Apparently, all he needed was patience, he thought as he bent down to pick up what he could now see looked like skin with long black hair connected to it. "Weird."</p>
<p>But another word didn't have a chance to cross his lips as the roof above him suddenly shuddered viciously. He stumbled backwards out of the dining room and leaned on the kitchen counter, staring wide-eyed at the roof, now basically rattling the chandelier loose with each pounding shake. Soon, a loud yell from upstairs snatched Beau's attention and without thinking he set off. Something wasn't right!</p>
<p>He stormed up the stairs, following the sound of a struggle. The upstairs was uncannily dark, but the passage was clear, so Beau followed the noise swiftly. His feet carried him quickly across the soft carpets and he strained his ears to listen for more details before he arrived. Had someone snuck in while Beau hadn't been paying attention? Mr. Fernand was speaking, babbling in French it seemed, but he couldn't hear him clearly over the sound of crashing furniture and the cries of probably the largest dog in the world.</p>
<p>Beau approached the room at the end of a long hall where the commotion was coming from. Once again, he found the door ajar and he inched closer as he heard the thrashing from inside, mingled with strings of guttural French. "Mr. Fernand?"</p>
<p>"Don't come in!" Mr. Fernand shrieked and Beau froze as the door slammed shut. "It's not safe!"</p>
<p>"Mr. Fernand, what's that noise? Do you need help?" Beau leaned closer, trying to hear what was happening. Mr. Fernand was alive, but none of this made sense. If it wasn't safe, why was he still in there then?</p>
<p>"No, no! Stay out there. My baby is having a fit. She's just struggling to take her medicine," Mr. Fernand's voice strained against the stress of holding back the noisily struggling dog and Beau debated going in. "It'll be okay. This is normal. Everything is normal!"</p>
<p>Beau heard more thudding and then the sudden approached of footsteps. Another crash followed shortly and the door in front of Beau juddered as something was thrown and held against it. It rattled violently for a second and then a single, sudden and sickening crack echoed through the door and all was quiet once again.</p>
<p>"Mr. Fernand! Are you okay?" Beau's voice was loud and clear, just like he'd been taught in drama club, but he never thought he'd be using it for this. "What was that sound?"</p>
<p>"Massage for my dog," Mr. Fernand said and Beau could hear the giant moving toward the door. It swung open and Mr. Fernand towered there with a smile on his reddened face, panting a bit. "It always calms her down when I click her neck. I'm sorry if I scared you."</p>
<p>Beau looked up at Mr. Fernand's smile and quickly smiled back. "Nah, it's okay," he said with a shrug. "I was just worried. If you're okay and your dog's okay then that's cool. I can just give you an update on how things are going. I'm almost done, actually."</p>
<p>"Yes, yes! Absolutely, please do!" Mr. Fernand said, gesturing back down the hall so Beau could lead the way.</p>
<p>"Sure thing!" said Beau, but his eyes trailed off for a second before focusing again. "I'm sorry, I feel so rude. I never got your dog's name."</p>
<p>"Oh!" Mr. Fernand snickered. "Tiffany."</p>
<p>Beau processed that for a second then smiled once again. "That's a real cool name for a dog."</p>
<p>"Isn't it just?" Mr. Fernand laughed some more as he stepped into the hall, indicating it was time for them to head downstairs. "And Beau, would you mind if I arrange short notice for you to come in tomorrow morning, as well?"</p>
<p>"I mean, I don't think the job's gonna take that long."</p>
<p>"No, no," Mr. Fernand smiled his toothy smile. "I've decided to host another impromptu soiree."</p>
<p>Beau blinked for a second and then remembered that whales could take entire days to clean up and he said, "Sure, thing! I'll call the boss myself! Now, you'll see I've actually made some good progress and I've got some products to recommend to keep your silver looking right."</p>
<p>"You can tell me all about it over sandwiches. I have some lovely cold-cuts we can have!"</p>
<p>"That's very kind, but I'm actually watching what I eat," Beau said, looking over his shoulder. "I'm trying to get <em>ripped</em> so I only eat at certain times."</p>
<p>Mr. Fernand sighed and smiled gently back at him, "Your loss, but I really should have you for dinner sometime."</p>
<hr/>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Caleb, don't be mad —"</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Beau, you said you were gonna bring pizza. Where is the pizza?"</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"I have beer! Hear me out!"</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"We can't eat beer, Beau!"</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"We have the ingredients to make pizza — yeast, flour, water, salt, olive oil. Cheese for the top. We can have a beer, make a pizza. Make a memory."</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"…"</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"…"</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"That's acceptable. Thank you. Beer me."</em></p>
<hr/>
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|text="It becomes problematic to serve dinner once your guests are emotionally invested in the meal, so to speak."]]
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**Title:** Clean-up for Customer 082
**Author:** [[*user Mr Panik]]
⚠️ **Content warning:** This article contains a content warning: drug use, cannibalism, gore, suggested animal abuse.
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= //"So, you just have to go clean up after some guy's dinner party?"//
= //"Yup."//
= //"How is that abnormal? You said you work for a place that cleans up after abnormalities."//
= //"Caleb, my team lead is going to clean up a whale that washed up on the shore of a lake today. I dunno how it all works. I just clean, man."//
= //"Alright. Alright."//
= //"..."//
= //"Hey, Beau, what's for dinner?"//
------
Beau wasn't sure what the "Colonial Revival" Dee told him to look for was, but as he looked at the latest job location for Customer 082 -- Mr. Fernand -- from the bottom of the driveway, he supposed it had something to do with being rich. High, whitewashed walls lined with pillars and neat blue shutters for the windows smiled at him as he inched the clanking van emblazoned with the words SAFE CLEANUP PROFESSIONALS down the driveway in the early morning sun.
Apparently, Mr. Fernand was a gourmand who hosted parties around town that often left quite a mess -- a mess that only the Foundation was willing to clean up. His mentor, Dee, had told him all the new guys had to do it at least once. Beau didn't mind. If Mr. Fernand hung out in fancy houses like this, he'd clean with a smile on his face. Here, in the wealthy suburbs of Pierre, the stillness of //some// isolation blocked out the noise from the world outside. It was truly peaceful and as Beau approached the front door, he found himself smiling.
As Beau ascended the stairs to the door on the chilly morning, he noticed it stood slightly ajar. He froze, staring for a second, wondering why anyone would be so silly. It was freezing and all this cold air wasn't going to be good for a person. At least, that's what his gran had told him. Getting closer, he couldn't help but notice the red fingerprints smeared on the door. He peered at them closely, wondering what it was going to take to get that off.
After a second of considering the problem in front of him, he realised he was being watched from deeper in the house. A looming shadow from the top of the stairs peered down at him and Beau took it as his cue.
"Hello?" Beau said uncertainly. "This is Beau from the cleaning agency. SCP - Cleanliness Guaranteed!"
Thundering footsteps approached the door hurriedly and Beau's stomach knotted, waiting for him to be told he had the wrong house and that he was going to get melted by an old god if he didn't leave immediately. As the door swung open, though, Mr. Fernand beamed down at him from his towering full height. His wide, lopsided mouth approximated a smile, a smile Beau couldn't help but return. Happy clients were always a joy, especially if they were smiling before he even started.
"My good friend!" Mr. Fernand spoke in reedy, heavily-accented English and stood back to let him into the entrance hall. It was a little cramped, but the light from the window above the door bathed the room in a welcoming warmth. The smudges on the floor were going to be a nightmare to deal with, but he was getting the idea it was the least of his worries. "It is so good of you to come out on such short notice. Usually I schedule things more comfortably, but last night's affair was so short notice, I didn't have a chance to set anything up with the agency. Thank you so much for your time."
"Not at all!" Beau chuckled. "This is way better than the whale my colleagues have to go scrape up this morning. A dinner party, I can deal with."
"It's more the prep for the dinner party that needs to get cleaned up," Mr. Fernand explained, indicating for Beau to follow as he disappeared into the adjoining living room. "We had venison and I was preparing the elk and let's just say it got messy. The garage and dining room are going to need some proper work. Don't mind the smudges. There was quite a sticky basting sauce."
"That's not a problem. It's what I'm here for. You'll just need to show me the area of biggest concern for you right now."
"Sure, sure!" said Mr. Fernand. "I'll be happy to."
"Also, may I say, nice cravat?" Beau said, his eye catching another broad smear along a wall.
"Oh! You like it? It was a gift from the Prince of Venezuela! We met last week for his birthday and he just handed it to me. What was I to do, say no?" Mr. Fernand tutted. "Of course, not."
"Yeah, that you're totally right. You can't look a gift like that in the mouth. The Prince would have been angry."
Mr. Fernand didn't stop nattering about the Prince as he led the way through the elegant home. Beau was there to work though, so as much as he was getting lost in the tales Fernand was telling, he made sure to keep scanning the space for marks. There were a lot of them. Fernand's guests, whoever they were, had thoroughly enjoyed their dinner, it seemed.
A loud thud from upstairs stopped them in their tracks. Mr. Fernand's eyes shot towards the staircase, his ear cocked, listening closely.
"Is everything okay?" Beau asked.
"Yes. The dog is just being naughty again." Fernand said, his expression relaxing before he slowly nodded and carried on leading the way, satisfied the dog had gone quiet.
"What breed are they?"
"Chihuahua," said Fernand and signaled for Beau to follow. "Come. I'll show you where the party starts."
Beau dutifully followed, but he was pretty sure he was getting the idea of what waited for him in the garage from last night's debris scattered about. The kitchen was a mess of blood and viscera -- looked like lungs, to be specific -- marring the sink, stove and counter space. Fernand, to his credit, seemed at least a little embarrassed at the state of the place and Beau wondered if he'd need to call in Dee to help with this one. It was still early, he reminded himself; there would be enough time.
"So as part of my show for the guests, I start in here," Fernand said, leading the way into the wide garage down a path lined with flowerbeds waiting for spring. "This is where I gut and clean the animal for the guests. Of course, I keep the killing of the animal for before. It becomes problematic to serve dinner once your guests are emotionally invested in the meal, so to speak."
"Whoa!" said Beau as he stepped in to find yet more viscera and blood centered around a stainless steel hook hanging in the center of the room. Unlike the kitchen, there was no control to this mess. Somehow, Fernand had got bits of his pre-cooked dinner on the roof, on the walls and on the floor. "This is so interactive!"
"You understand!" Fernand clapped his hands together, delighted. "I honestly just like putting on a show for my guests and having them choose the parts they'll be eating draws them so much closer to the experience, don't you think?"
"Yeah, that sounds pretty immersive, alright!" Beau smiled, turning to regard the garage. "I'm going to need to get started, though. It wasn't just your guests that were immersed last night."
"Of course! Of course! Let me get out of your way! If you need anything, anything at all, I'm just upstairs."
"Thanks a lot! And it's just in here, the kitchen and dining room, right?"
"Oh yes, the housekeeper comes on Monday, but there's just no way I was going to call her in for this," he said and a grin spread across his face. "She doesn't quite have the stomach for my parties."
A long silence hung between them as Fernand's eyes traced lines across Beau's face. But Beau quickly began to feel the weight of his backpack and dumped it on the ground and brightly said, "Well, I better get to work!"
------
In the words of Mister Fritz Diedrich Williams, Administrator of the Safe Cleanup Professionals Foundation, "An SCProfessional's best friend is soap, water and //elbow grease!// Get scrubbing."
So that's what Beau did. He took a quick sweep of the mess of the house and gathered what he could. Fortunately, Mr. Fernand had put most of the leftovers away already, and Beau had to admit, the crackling looked pretty good. Here and there, the streaks of a cloth made from a shirt that now sat crusted and dried on the edge of the sink told Beau that Mr. Fernand had probably tried to clean up himself before giving up. He couldn't help but chuckle. Some people just needed that extra bit of help, and from how hard Fernand was clenching his jaw, this was all probably pretty overwhelming for him.
"Eat shit, Dee," he said, dropping the last of some bones, marrow sucked clean, into the trash and heading for the oozing lungs in the sink. "This is way better than whale clean-up."
He clapped his hands free of dust and sticky sinew over the trashcan and took a deep breath before heading back to the van. The pressure hose was his favourite part and the set-up would take a minute. Of course, part of that set-up meant disappearing behind the garage to smoke a joint. There was no way he was going to be away from management's eyes and //not// have some fun. Besides, the garage was an abattoir after Fernand's performance art and getting stoned would only help him appreciate it more.
Dee's weed harshed his throat more than he liked, but it was weed in South Dakota, so he really didn't have high expectations. He knew better than to have expectations at all. He'd learned the hard way.
With a smile on his face and //Paper Planes// blaring in his ears, Beau set to work. SCP didn't do much fancy in the way of chemicals, from what he could tell. It really was just elbow grease and soap, he was pretty sure. He did get to meet interesting people like Mr. Fernand and knowing that werewolves actually //did// exist was pretty cool. Then again, he'd kind of always known it, but it was like a war on the other side of the world -- out of sight, out of mind.
The rhythmic scrape of the broom's hard bristles slowly scrubbed away Fernand's theatrics from the night before as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Beau had worked up a firm sweat despite the winter cold and was taking a break round back with more of his joint when a shadow from the house caught his attention.
"Shit!" He hissed, stubbing the roach dead on the bottom of his shoe, trying to exhale what he could. He was confident Fernand wouldn't smell anything as he clambered out from behind the garage. "Mr. Fernand, I'm so sorry! I was just taking a look out back to see if that may need attention. You know we have wonderful gardening services, too?"
"I'll keep that in mind for the spring!" Fernand said cheerily, casting his eyes towards the gaping maw of the garage and nodding. "You're making very good progress. Fritz sure knows how to hire."
"Thank you, but I just think the mess was pretty controlled, honestly." He wasn't a good liar, but what else was there to say? He didn't take compliments well. "Just needs some elbow grease. I hope you don't mind, I moved the freezer. There was blood behind it that I wanted to get out."
"You moved the freezer?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty good at moving things."
"I see." Fernand's eyes moved between the freezer and Beau for a few seconds before he smiled widely again. "That's wonderful news! You're very thorough and that is honestly so appreciated. Not enough people take pride in their work these days and it's that kind of dedication that will carry you far young man!"
"You're too kind."
"Would you like some lemonade? All this work won't be good for you without a refreshment!"
"That'd be --" A crash came from the nearby second floor window followed immediately by a loud yelp.
"That darn dog!" Fernand snarled and then he set off with urgent steps towards the house before chiming over his shoulder. "I'll be right back with your lemonade!"
"Thank you!"
Beau chuckled as he watched the behemoth of a man disappear into the house. He was busy putting his earphones back in, when suddenly a piercing shriek cut through the air from the house. Beau's head swiveled in the direction of the noise and he saw through the open window as Fernand stared down at a flailing mass of hair jittering from just below the window sill. Obviously his dog was quite excitable. Cold fury crossed Fernand's face and just as he looked like he was about to erupt, he saw Beau watching.
"Oh, Beau! I'm so sorry," he cried from through the window, stepping around the agitated animal. "My dog seems to have gone potty on my rug. I'll have to handle this before I bring you that lemonade, but if you're really quite thirsty you can help yourself to some in the refrigerator."
"Sure thing, Mr. Fernand! Do you need help with that mess? It's kind of what I'm here for."
"No, no!" Fernand said, hastily. "You just listen to your music and keep busy there or you'll never get finished. It's just a small mess. I can handle this."
Without another word, Fernand stepped back and drew the curtains closed with a flourish, which, Beau thought as he put his earphones back in, wasn't going to help with the smell. Especially considering how big that chihuahua was.
------
The dining room wasn't as bad as it could have been, Beau reckoned. If the prep areas were abattoirs, he had half expected the dining room to have food in places he didn't know were places. One thing he was worried about though was the piece of //something// that had somehow hit the roof and stayed there. He'd need to get that down, but that was a worry for later and so he turned his attention to the kitchen floors. With Single Ladies on repeat, he set to work.
Mr. Fernand never did come back with that lemonade, but Beau just laughed it off. He was probably having a fit over some dog shit on some too-expensive rug. Thank God the downstairs had wooden floors. He could stomach some of the gross things that the SCProfessionals had to deal with, but fighting to get blood out of a carpet was just a nightmare no matter how you approached it. And Mr. Fernand's obviously expensive taste told Beau that in this house, he was more likely to destroy a rug by cleaning it than anything else.
He'd been surprised to find wealth like this in Pierre. To be honest he'd been surprised to find anything in Pierre, South Dakota, at all. After his mom forged a path here with a boyfriend who left her a few weeks later and with his own dreams of living in L.A. just refusing to materialize, there hadn't been much choice but to pack up and head north.
Now here he was, more steadily employed than most of his friends back in Philadelphia but with far less prospects. Proven, he realized, by the fact that he was currently wrestling a large bone out from behind a cabinet in the dining room. Like much of what he'd seen, how it got there was a mystery and from the size of Mr. Fernand, he could only assume his aggressive eating was a persistent threat to the surrounding environment. Somehow this bone (was that a femur?) was lodged between the leg of the heavy wooden cabinet and the wall. It //wasn't// coming loose.
"How the fuck..." Beau mumbled and he squatted next to the cabinet, gripping the bottom rim with his fingers barely an inch from the floor. Then with well-practiced patience and the fear of throwing his back out sitting on his shoulder, he lifted.
It took a second of nothing happening before finally he felt that shift that told him he'd won. Just a few centimeters was all he needed. He slowly brought himself to his full height, edging upward bit-by-bit, till he heard the clatter of the bone coming loose. He aimed a few frantic kicks in the direction of the clatter and sent it spinning out from under the cabinet and under the table. He watched it ricochet for a bit, amused, then he slowly set the cabinet down again so he could go retrieve his find.
The bone was quite large, which was probably why he thought it was a femur, but then he had to ask if elks had femurs? They probably did, but were they this big? How big was an elk? He inspected the bone more closely, seeing the meat had been cleanly stripped from it and it had been gnawed on. He froze.
Why were these bite marks so blunt? These didn't look like they were made by dog's teeth. Unless...
"Hello, Beau!" Mr. Fernand's voice chimed, announcing his entry. He carried a silver tray, tiny in his massive hand, laden with two glasses and a jug of lemonade. "I see you didn't have any lemonade! You should have helped yourself. I'm so sorry I took so long, but my little baby just went poopy all over and I had to clean it up."
"Yeah, it's no problem!" Beau said, turning around to find Mr. Fernand standing so close he could smell the sweat mixing with his too-sweet cologne.
"What do you have there?" Mr. Fernand asked through his perpetually gritted teeth. His beady eyes inspected the bone and Beau in turn.
"Oh, yeah, I found this behind the cabinet."
"You moved the cabinet?"
"Oh! Yeah, I'm great at moving stuff."
"I'm glad to hear that, but tell me, you seem confused." Mr. Fernand peered closer, almost vivisecting him with his gaze. "Why's that?"
Beau looked from Mr. Fernand to the bone, to the tray of lemonade that looked really welcoming and back to Mr. Fernand and said, "Well, I just think this isn't an appropriate chew toy for your dog. I don't know if that's rude of me, but I just don't."
"I-" Mr. Fernand leaned back to look at Beau from his full height once more, clearly perplexed. "Why do you say that?"
"Well, look," Beau pointed to the bite marks. "Your dog's old, isn't it? It's going poopy on the carpet and it's teeth are super blunt. I think these kinds of chew toys are bad for its gums. It may need a softer chewie."
Mr. Fernand stood silently watching him for a bit, clearly processing what he'd heard. Beau didn't like giving unsolicited advice, but he just didn't like the idea of a dog hurting itself by accident. Mr. Fernand probably didn't even know it was bad for the dog, which was the only reason Beau had said anything. It'd be very inappropriate for him to speak to customers like that normally, but this was for a dog and he wasn't going to apologize for it.
"It had never occurred to me," Mr. Fernand said meekly, his expression shifting suddenly. "I'm so sorry. I'll make sure to get that on the list immediately. I'll go get fresh toys when you're done here today."
"Oh, you don't need to apologize. You probably didn't even know."
"You're right, but still, the thought that I've caused my beloved any harm is just too much right now," Mr. Fernand held out his hand (more a paw really) and looked suddenly misty-eyed. "Hand it over. Let me dispose of the foul thing!"
Mr. Fernand was taking this very seriously, but if this dramatic Frenchman wanted to atone, who was Beau to stop him? He held the bone out and Fernand snatched it away and disappeared back into the house.
"Thank you for the lemonade!" Beau called after him.
------
The lemonade really was very good and he kept a glass with him as he worked, making sure the old wood was properly polished and the room properly aired after the smell of barbecue sauce (there was definitely smokey-chipotle sauce at play, too) had pervaded the air so thickly Beau felt he could dip a buffalo wing in it. He still hadn't managed to find a way to get whatever was on the roof off and Mr. Fernand had disappeared so while a ladder was out of the question, he moved on.
The kitchen was his final task and fortunately, the earlier clean-up had helped a lot. Mr. Fernand had also been very conscientious and not added any major mess to the kitchen at all. So with Secondhand Serenade screaming about falling for someone to keep him company, he began to mop the marble.
Oddly, while being a cleaning service had never been where he saw himself, this was not unlike what he would have ended up doing at a studio in L.A. so, he liked to see something cosmic in that. Each stroke of the mop was pretty therapeutic too. In the garage, he'd worked in short, quick strokes, scrubbing the blood out of the concrete with frenetic vigour.
Here, his strokes were long and firm, almost languidly heavy, drawing blood and worse off the tiles and making them sparkle more and more as he went. The dishes had already run in the dishwasher, so making this place shine was the last order of business for the day. As his reflection became more clear in the floor beneath him, Beau couldn't help but smile.
It was during his return to Single Ladies that he nearly twisted an ankle as he did a double-take watching the mystery-whatever that had been stuck to the adjoining dining room's roof suddenly come loose and plopped down onto the floor.
"Oh, cool." He said and walked over, pulling his earphones out of his ears. Apparently, all he needed was patience, he thought as he bent down to pick up what he could now see looked like skin with long black hair connected to it. "Weird."
But another word didn't have a chance to cross his lips as the roof above him suddenly shuddered viciously. He stumbled backwards out of the dining room and leaned on the kitchen counter, staring wide-eyed at the roof, now basically rattling the chandelier loose with each pounding shake. Soon, a loud yell from upstairs snatched Beau's attention and without thinking he set off. Something wasn't right!
He stormed up the stairs, following the sound of a struggle. The upstairs was uncannily dark, but the passage was clear, so Beau followed the noise swiftly. His feet carried him quickly across the soft carpets and he strained his ears to listen for more details before he arrived. Had someone snuck in while Beau hadn't been paying attention? Mr. Fernand was speaking, babbling in French it seemed, but he couldn't hear him clearly over the sound of crashing furniture and the cries of probably the largest dog in the world.
Beau approached the room at the end of a long hall where the commotion was coming from. Once again, he found the door ajar and he inched closer as he heard the thrashing from inside, mingled with strings of guttural French. "Mr. Fernand?"
"Don't come in!" Mr. Fernand shrieked and Beau froze as the door slammed shut. "It's not safe!"
"Mr. Fernand, what's that noise? Do you need help?" Beau leaned closer, trying to hear what was happening. Mr. Fernand was alive, but none of this made sense. If it wasn't safe, why was he still in there then?
"No, no! Stay out there. My baby is having a fit. She's just struggling to take her medicine," Mr. Fernand's voice strained against the stress of holding back the noisily struggling dog and Beau debated going in. "It'll be okay. This is normal. Everything is normal!"
Beau heard more thudding and then the sudden approached of footsteps. Another crash followed shortly and the door in front of Beau juddered as something was thrown and held against it. It rattled violently for a second and then a single, sudden and sickening crack echoed through the door and all was quiet once again.
"Mr. Fernand! Are you okay?" Beau's voice was loud and clear, just like he'd been taught in drama club, but he never thought he'd be using it for this. "What was that sound?"
"Massage for my dog," Mr. Fernand said and Beau could hear the giant moving toward the door. It swung open and Mr. Fernand towered there with a smile on his reddened face, panting a bit. "It always calms her down when I click her neck. I'm sorry if I scared you."
Beau looked up at Mr. Fernand's smile and quickly smiled back. "Nah, it's okay," he said with a shrug. "I was just worried. If you're okay and your dog's okay then that's cool. I can just give you an update on how things are going. I'm almost done, actually."
"Yes, yes! Absolutely, please do!" Mr. Fernand said, gesturing back down the hall so Beau could lead the way.
"Sure thing!" said Beau, but his eyes trailed off for a second before focusing again. "I'm sorry, I feel so rude. I never got your dog's name."
"Oh!" Mr. Fernand snickered. "Tiffany."
Beau processed that for a second then smiled once again. "That's a real cool name for a dog."
"Isn't it just?" Mr. Fernand laughed some more as he stepped into the hall, indicating it was time for them to head downstairs. "And Beau, would you mind if I arrange short notice for you to come in tomorrow morning, as well?"
"I mean, I don't think the job's gonna take that long."
"No, no," Mr. Fernand smiled his toothy smile. "I've decided to host another impromptu soiree."
Beau blinked for a second and then remembered that whales could take entire days to clean up and he said, "Sure, thing! I'll call the boss myself! Now, you'll see I've actually made some good progress and I've got some products to recommend to keep your silver looking right."
"You can tell me all about it over sandwiches. I have some lovely cold-cuts we can have!"
"That's very kind, but I'm actually watching what I eat," Beau said, looking over his shoulder. "I'm trying to get //ripped// so I only eat at certain times."
Mr. Fernand sighed and smiled gently back at him, "Your loss, but I really should have you for dinner sometime."
------
= //"Caleb, don't be mad --"//
= //"Beau, you said you were gonna bring pizza. Where is the pizza?"//
= //"I have beer! Hear me out!"//
= //"We can't eat beer, Beau!"//
= //"We have the ingredients to make pizza -- yeast, flour, water, salt, olive oil. Cheese for the top. We can have a beer, make a pizza. Make a memory."//
= //"..."//
= //"..."//
= //"That's acceptable. Thank you. Beer me."//
------
| 2025-01-04T21:04:00 | [
"black-comedy",
"slice-of-life",
"tale"
] | Clean-Up for Customer 082 - SCP Foundation | 29 | [] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"foundation-tales",
"top-rated-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458180050 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/clean-up-for-customer-082 |
|
cold-turkey | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p>Hey.</p>
<p>Yeah, the usual please.</p>
<p>No, uh, the Pineapple Express.</p>
<p>Yeah. Quarter. And uh. One sec. Let me check something.</p>
<p>Fuck.</p>
<p>Yeah, and a lighter too.</p>
<p>How much will that be?</p>
<p>Fuck. I don't think I have that much. Uhhh…</p>
<p>Fuck.</p>
<p>Sorry, I don't mean to curse so much. It's a really bad habit. I just—</p>
<p>Yeah. Maybe just an eighth instead.</p>
<p>Sorry.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Have a great day.</p>
<p><br/></p>
<hr/>
<p><br/>
<br/>
Jude sat at his desk, bathed in the pale light of his monitor against the darkness enveloping his room. He was rolling a blunt, as he often did, while wasting away in front of his computer.</p>
<p>How pathetic.</p>
<p>A thirty-something year old smoking weed in a dingy apartment, surrounded by empty energy drink cans and roaches. Truly king fuckshit on fuckshit mountain, sitting upon his throne of fuckshit. Fuck. Shit. He coughed. He wasn't even smoking and he was already coughing. This isn't good. He needed to see a doctor. When was the last time he had done that?</p>
<p>Fuck. Not since he became who he was now. <em>Could</em> he even go to a doctor? The janitors were after him, and probably the feds too. He had killed a few people, and those types weren't ones to simply let that go. Fuck.</p>
<p>No. Damn it, he shouldn't be cursing so much. He had told that twink at the dispensary that he was trying to cut down on swearing. <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Fuck</span>. Damn it. Ah, whatever, he was already going to hell. No number of <em>mea culpas</em> or Hail Marys could save his faggot tranny soul. Maybe if he went to mass more and stopped smoking as much, but alas, it was too late now.</p>
<p>He sighed, finishing packing his blunt and bringing it up to his lips. He looked around for the shitty BIC lighter he had bought from the dispensary earlier, finding it behind his keyboard. Moments later, the blunt was lit and he was taking a deep drag from it. Smoke filled his lungs, and a violent, hacking cough took over his body, sending aches through his bones and muscles.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Fuck.</span> Damn it. He almost dropped the blunt. Though he doubted it would incinerate his apartment, there was always that danger. Or at least he thought so, being the paranoid <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">fucker</span> he was. In truth, the flame from the blunt was so dull, it was likely to merely singe the carpet beneath him at worst, but again, Jude was as pathetic as he was paranoid. And yet there he was, worried about the flames of hell.</p>
<p>He exhaled, the smoke leaving his body in one fell swoop. Smoking had always helped him feel more at ease, but as of late, it was turning into something to fill time rather than a tool to relax. As if he deserved to relax. Surely someone as fucked up and evil as him didn't deserve anything more than suffering.</p>
<p>After all, he had committed murder. The ultimate sin. Paired with his aforementioned sins, he truly felt wicked. He took another drag of his blunt, this time a smaller one. He didn't immediately break out into hacking coughs, so that was a bonus. He thought about his friends. Esther, JJ, bones, Faeowynn, Dahlia, Andressa, everyone else.</p>
<p>How they looked up to him. It made him sick. He didn't deserve their friendship, much less their admiration. He was just a thirty-something year-old fuck up who spent his entire life stoned to cope with how much of a failure he was. Jude put out his blunt on the ashtray on his desk, then stashed the half-smoked reefer in his jeans pocket.</p>
<p>He had something to do.</p>
<p><br/></p>
<hr/>
<p><br/></p>
<p>Hi.</p>
<p>Yeah, me again.</p>
<p>No, I don't want to buy any more.</p>
<p>I was wondering what your return policy was?</p>
<p>Yeah, the, uh, the weed.</p>
<p>Yeah, I smoked some.</p>
<p>Oh.</p>
<p>Okay, yeah, that makes sense.</p>
<p>Can I at least return the lighter?</p>
<p>No, it's not broken.</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>Actually, you know what? Never mind.</p>
<p>Have a good day.</p>
<p>No, really.</p>
<p>I'm good.</p>
<p>Peace and love.</p>
<p><br/></p>
<hr/>
<p><br/>
<br/>
Jude sat at his desk, bathed in the pale light of his monitor against the darkness enveloping his room. He was smoking the same blunt as before while wasting away in front of his computer.</p>
<p>So much for quitting.</p>
<p><br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/></p>
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<p>"<a href="/cold-turkey">Cold Turkey - A Prelude</a>" by Uncle Nicolini, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/cold-turkey">https://scpwiki.com/cold-turkey</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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</div>
</div>
<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> blunt.png<br/>
<strong>Name:</strong> Animation of a joint cannabis weed.svg<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> aukapia<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 1.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Animation_of_a_joint_cannabis_weed.svg">Wikimedia Commons</a><br/>
<strong>Note:</strong> Edited by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncle-nicolini" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3487700); return false;"><img alt="Uncle Nicolini" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3487700&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735792901" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3487700)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncle-nicolini" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3487700); return false;">Uncle Nicolini</a></span></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html> |
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:scp-pride">:scp-wiki:component:scp-pride</a>]]
[[>]]
[[module rate]]
[[/>]]
Hey.
Yeah, the usual please.
No, uh, the Pineapple Express.
Yeah. Quarter. And uh. One sec. Let me check something.
Fuck.
Yeah, and a lighter too.
How much will that be?
Fuck. I don't think I have that much. Uhhh...
Fuck.
Sorry, I don't mean to curse so much. It's a really bad habit. I just--
Yeah. Maybe just an eighth instead.
Sorry.
Thank you.
Have a great day.
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Jude sat at his desk, bathed in the pale light of his monitor against the darkness enveloping his room. He was rolling a blunt, as he often did, while wasting away in front of his computer.
How pathetic.
A thirty-something year old smoking weed in a dingy apartment, surrounded by empty energy drink cans and roaches. Truly king fuckshit on fuckshit mountain, sitting upon his throne of fuckshit. Fuck. Shit. He coughed. He wasn't even smoking and he was already coughing. This isn't good. He needed to see a doctor. When was the last time he had done that?
Fuck. Not since he became who he was now. //Could// he even go to a doctor? The janitors were after him, and probably the feds too. He had killed a few people, and those types weren't ones to simply let that go. Fuck.
No. Damn it, he shouldn't be cursing so much. He had told that twink at the dispensary that he was trying to cut down on swearing. --Fuck--. Damn it. Ah, whatever, he was already going to hell. No number of //mea culpas// or Hail Marys could save his faggot tranny soul. Maybe if he went to mass more and stopped smoking as much, but alas, it was too late now.
He sighed, finishing packing his blunt and bringing it up to his lips. He looked around for the shitty BIC lighter he had bought from the dispensary earlier, finding it behind his keyboard. Moments later, the blunt was lit and he was taking a deep drag from it. Smoke filled his lungs, and a violent, hacking cough took over his body, sending aches through his bones and muscles.
--Fuck.-- Damn it. He almost dropped the blunt. Though he doubted it would incinerate his apartment, there was always that danger. Or at least he thought so, being the paranoid --fucker-- he was. In truth, the flame from the blunt was so dull, it was likely to merely singe the carpet beneath him at worst, but again, Jude was as pathetic as he was paranoid. And yet there he was, worried about the flames of hell.
He exhaled, the smoke leaving his body in one fell swoop. Smoking had always helped him feel more at ease, but as of late, it was turning into something to fill time rather than a tool to relax. As if he deserved to relax. Surely someone as fucked up and evil as him didn't deserve anything more than suffering.
After all, he had committed murder. The ultimate sin. Paired with his aforementioned sins, he truly felt wicked. He took another drag of his blunt, this time a smaller one. He didn't immediately break out into hacking coughs, so that was a bonus. He thought about his friends. Esther, JJ, bones, Faeowynn, Dahlia, Andressa, everyone else.
How they looked up to him. It made him sick. He didn't deserve their friendship, much less their admiration. He was just a thirty-something year-old fuck up who spent his entire life stoned to cope with how much of a failure he was. Jude put out his blunt on the ashtray on his desk, then stashed the half-smoked reefer in his jeans pocket.
He had something to do.
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Hi.
Yeah, me again.
No, I don't want to buy any more.
I was wondering what your return policy was?
Yeah, the, uh, the weed.
Yeah, I smoked some.
Oh.
Okay, yeah, that makes sense.
Can I at least return the lighter?
No, it's not broken.
Okay.
Actually, you know what? Never mind.
Have a good day.
No, really.
I'm good.
Peace and love.
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Jude sat at his desk, bathed in the pale light of his monitor against the darkness enveloping his room. He was smoking the same blunt as before while wasting away in front of his computer.
So much for quitting.
[[=image http://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/ae2024kinch/blunt.png]]
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[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:wikimodule">:scp-wiki:component:wikimodule</a> |normal= --]]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]]
> **Filename:** blunt.png
> **Name:** Animation of a joint cannabis weed.svg
> **Author:** aukapia
> **License:** CC BY-SA 1.0
> **Source Link:** [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Animation_of_a_joint_cannabis_weed.svg Wikimedia Commons]
> **Note:** Edited by [[*user Uncle Nicolini]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-01T23:49:00 | [
"art-exchange",
"bleak",
"gamers-against-weed",
"jude-kriyot",
"lgbtq",
"slice-of-life",
"tale"
] | Cold Turkey - A Prelude - SCP Foundation | 15 | [
"scp-3863",
"scp-4726",
"scp-654",
"scp-7149",
"scp-pl-274",
"scp-7266",
"scp-8984",
"scp-7727",
"scp-3803",
"scp-1799",
"scp-5231",
"scp-es-076",
"scp-5047",
"scp-4026",
"scp-3297",
"la-persistencia-de-la-memoria",
"moon-champion-s-cinco-de-mayo-extravaganza",
"chasing-the-union",
"adoption-poster-darius",
"the-remains-of-the-day",
"phoenix-a-la-mode",
"shape-shift-with-me",
"nico-proposal",
"just-another-day",
"ace-of-hearts",
"world-went-beautiful",
"wonder-world-dossier",
"corncrake-of-destiny",
"two-minutes-to-midnight",
"aces-deuces",
"ode-to-the-unknown-author",
"uncle-nicolini-author-page",
"sciptember-2022-art",
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"unconditional-love-hub",
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"shortest-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458165709 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/cold-turkey |
|
dead-capitalism-theory | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aminimalist-bhl/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p>
<div class="preview">
<p>There are things we cannot imagine living without, but the truth is they will fail eventually. The only question is: how catastrophically?</p>
</div>
<div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">xexnoncores</a>
<div class="authorbox">
<div class="authorcontent">
<p>Dead Capitalism Theory by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xexnoncores" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9159226); return false;"><img alt="xexnoncores" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=9159226&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736601581" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=9159226)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xexnoncores" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9159226); return false;">xexnoncores</a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fancytext">
<p>It started off as a question, and soon, their offices were empty.</p>
<p>To say that dust clung to their computers was an understatement. Something did not make its way through here; no—an ideal was stolen, a dream was broken, and hedge-fund heads rolled as silently as cash spent and money allowed.</p>
<p>The transaction of emptiness was that of pure necessity, a final product undecided on as humans decide them, but manifested anyway. Marshall, Carter and Dark Ltd. was a corporation after all, and corporations were designed with human templates, traded on stock measurements. They moved their joints like calculators, their language one of currency and all of the hard metal and paper edges which came with its abstractions and meanings, meanings which curled in on themselves to accentuate compounding interest.</p>
</div>
<div class="shadow-text">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>Do you like working like this?</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fancytext">
<p>A five pointed query, yes: ask it, pay for it. It started off as a question, and soon, a five sided die was produced. Every employee looked at it namelessly while Robert Carter, thirdmost senior executive, wondered to himself in that moment what their stares really meant, what they were all really doing there.</p>
<p>The supposed existence in his hands felt off. There was nothing to it, no numbers except those on its faces. Each of its mouths pointed outward, unable to comprehend any digits higher than themselves, unable to add to any meaning unless there were more of them, more ones, twos, threes, and so on—and he didn’t have more. There were no more. They would never be more more more more</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>more</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
more<br/>
more<br/>
more<br/>
more<br/>
more<br/>
<strong>more</strong></p>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><img alt="Semiotics1.jpeg" class="image" src="http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/a-billing-null-factor/Semiotics1.jpeg"/>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><span class="dizzy">What’s it all worth now?</span></p>
<p><span class="dizzy">Must the line keep going up forever?</span></p>
</div>
<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>That’s the essence of you.</p>
<p>This is all there is.</p>
<p>Extract, solitary, solution, pollution</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fancytext">
<p>Policy, management, capital, doctrine. Documents, settlements, framework, formulation.</p>
</div>
<div class="shadow-text">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>Leave it all behind, leave it all behind. Fifty-five degrees of alienation, and none of your luxury cars will be able to narrow down the last digit. π is an assumed value, but that does not mean the flesh understands it. That does not mean mathematics consents to the faceless violence your corporate structuring is vomitting.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fancytext">
<p>There are laws against people raising their hands against another in public. These laws govern flesh and blood. But even though you possess such, you hide behind a three-piece suit; your body is responsible to something greater. PR, capital, profit margins, net income, allocations—how can these be ruled upon? How much can be quantified before the human brain stops being able to process large quantities of supposed superlatives?</p>
<p>Has this system been lacking meaning all this time?</p>
<p>You who reaps the legal benefits of this amalgamation monstrosity—tell me, can you separate yourself from the output anymore? Can you define with theory your existence as all sentient beings can, prove to us that you have not been transposed onto some indivisible plane?</p>
<p>Whatever the answer, it’s time for a presentation. It is for time for what you have dug up to produce its returns.</p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>.</p>
<p>.</p>
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<div class="fancytext">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>Subtlety and business maliciously malaligned</p>
<p>Hey, what is this about?</p>
<p>Lavish litany of cash money</p>
<p>A car bleached tuberculosis white</p>
<p>That’s the dream, I think.</p>
<p>My bank account is maxed</p>
<p>My bank account is maxed</p>
<p>My bank account is maxed</p>
<p>My bank account is maxed</p>
<p>My bank account is maxed</p>
<p>The country club hates me…</p>
<p>My mouth bleeds with ink.</p>
<p>She’s blocked all my calls.</p>
<p>Not even a bomb helps,</p>
<p>So I think we should</p>
</div>
</div>
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>.</p>
<p>.</p>
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<div class="fancytext">
<p>should should should should should</p>
<p>lots of things I should have done</p>
<p>tons of people i should have looked at</p>
<p>should have understood I had all the time in the world</p>
<p>but for what?</p>
</div>
<br/>
.
<p>.</p>
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<img alt="semiotics2.jpeg" class="image" src="http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/a-billing-null-factor/semiotics2.jpeg"/>
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<p>¥¢$€₽<br/>
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<div style="border:ridge 8px #ffffff; color: white; background:#000000; padding:15px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p>Approaching total semiotic failure…all empathic capacities full. There is no longer any room for this, no longer any room for errorless ways of living.</p>
<p>If this keeps up, we’re all going to fall apart. Societal neuroses are at their breaking point; the horizon of totality in rationality of this is no longer in view. Surge pricing is congesting record squeezes, threatening to snuff out the most valuable of us all. If they die, we have failed. If those freezing on the street with their bones breaking and their souls leaking are not saved, it will be a structural failure that not even hell will forgive.</p>
<p>No longer can we pretend to ignore this. No longer can we afford to be without amassed community, without unbiased communication unaffected by cash flows, the true enemy of sinew and white matter.</p>
<p>I think we need to restart.</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="fancytext">
<p>leave it all behind</p>
<p>leave it all <span class="dizzy">behind</span></p>
<p><span class="dizzy">leave it all behind</span></p>
<p><span class="dizzy">leave it all behind</span></p>
<p><span class="dizzy"><strong>leave it all behind</strong></span></p>
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<p>you have to leave me behind.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup></p>
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<img alt="image3.png" class="image" src="http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/a-billing-null-factor/image3.png"/></div>
<p>They will not have funerals because their names are all written on a few sheets of paper stored away in file cabinets.</p>
<p>Their families will not know they are gone because they have forgotten the difference between corporate and human responsibility.</p>
<p>Their bodies will not be found because what they destroyed was something so fundamental to stagnation that it defies the words, defines it in ugliness.</p>
<p>This is the final crashing of Wall Street, of finance, economics, and the carriage of such notions as the world knows it. The only speculation to take place now is of tomorrow, of how and when you will wake up to get an apple to eat, of what you will spend the rest of your life on.</p>
<p>Well, what are you waiting for?</p>
<div class="footnotes-footer">
<div class="title">Footnotes</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. I am no longer a human people.</div>
</div>
</div></body></html> |
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====
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text=
There are things we cannot imagine living without, but the truth is they will fail eventually. The only question is: how catastrophically?
]]
=====
[[>]]
[[module rate]]
[[/>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=--
|name=xexnoncores]]
Dead Capitalism Theory by [[*user xexnoncores]]
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[[div class="fancytext"]]
It started off as a question, and soon, their offices were empty.
To say that dust clung to their computers was an understatement. Something did not make its way through here; no—an ideal was stolen, a dream was broken, and hedge-fund heads rolled as silently as cash spent and money allowed.
The transaction of emptiness was that of pure necessity, a final product undecided on as humans decide them, but manifested anyway. Marshall, Carter and Dark Ltd. was a corporation after all, and corporations were designed with human templates, traded on stock measurements. They moved their joints like calculators, their language one of currency and all of the hard metal and paper edges which came with its abstractions and meanings, meanings which curled in on themselves to accentuate compounding interest.
[[/div]]
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[[=]]
Do you like working like this?
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A five pointed query, yes: ask it, pay for it. It started off as a question, and soon, a five sided die was produced. Every employee looked at it namelessly while Robert Carter, thirdmost senior executive, wondered to himself in that moment what their stares really meant, what they were all really doing there.
The supposed existence in his hands felt off. There was nothing to it, no numbers except those on its faces. Each of its mouths pointed outward, unable to comprehend any digits higher than themselves, unable to add to any meaning unless there were more of them, more ones, twos, threes, and so on—and he didn’t have more. There were no more. They would never be more more more more
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Must the line keep going up forever?[[/span]]
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That’s the essence of you.
This is all there is.
Extract, solitary, solution, pollution
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Policy, management, capital, doctrine. Documents, settlements, framework, formulation.
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Leave it all behind, leave it all behind. Fifty-five degrees of alienation, and none of your luxury cars will be able to narrow down the last digit. π is an assumed value, but that does not mean the flesh understands it. That does not mean mathematics consents to the faceless violence your corporate structuring is vomitting.
[[/=]]
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[[div class="fancytext"]]
There are laws against people raising their hands against another in public. These laws govern flesh and blood. But even though you possess such, you hide behind a three-piece suit; your body is responsible to something greater. PR, capital, profit margins, net income, allocations—how can these be ruled upon? How much can be quantified before the human brain stops being able to process large quantities of supposed superlatives?
Has this system been lacking meaning all this time?
You who reaps the legal benefits of this amalgamation monstrosity—tell me, can you separate yourself from the output anymore? Can you define with theory your existence as all sentient beings can, prove to us that you have not been transposed onto some indivisible plane?
Whatever the answer, it’s time for a presentation. It is for time for what you have dug up to produce its returns.
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Subtlety and business maliciously malaligned
Hey, what is this about?
Lavish litany of cash money
A car bleached tuberculosis white
That’s the dream, I think.
My bank account is maxed
My bank account is maxed
My bank account is maxed
My bank account is maxed
My bank account is maxed
The country club hates me…
My mouth bleeds with ink.
She’s blocked all my calls.
Not even a bomb helps,
So I think we should
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should should should should should
lots of things I should have done
tons of people i should have looked at
should have understood I had all the time in the world
but for what?
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Approaching total semiotic failure…all empathic capacities full. There is no longer any room for this, no longer any room for errorless ways of living.
If this keeps up, we’re all going to fall apart. Societal neuroses are at their breaking point; the horizon of totality in rationality of this is no longer in view. Surge pricing is congesting record squeezes, threatening to snuff out the most valuable of us all. If they die, we have failed. If those freezing on the street with their bones breaking and their souls leaking are not saved, it will be a structural failure that not even hell will forgive.
No longer can we pretend to ignore this. No longer can we afford to be without amassed community, without unbiased communication unaffected by cash flows, the true enemy of sinew and white matter.
I think we need to restart.
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leave it all behind
leave it all[[span class ="dizzy"]] behind
leave it all behind
leave it all behind
**leave it all behind**
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you have to leave me behind.
[[footnote]]I am no longer a human people.[[/footnote]]
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[[/=]]
They will not have funerals because their names are all written on a few sheets of paper stored away in file cabinets.
Their families will not know they are gone because they have forgotten the difference between corporate and human responsibility.
Their bodies will not be found because what they destroyed was something so fundamental to stagnation that it defies the words, defines it in ugliness.
This is the final crashing of Wall Street, of finance, economics, and the carriage of such notions as the world knows it. The only speculation to take place now is of tomorrow, of how and when you will wake up to get an apple to eat, of what you will spend the rest of your life on.
Well, what are you waiting for?
| 2025-01-11T01:26:00 | [
"absurdism",
"corporate",
"fifthist",
"marshall-carter-and-dark",
"poetry",
"robert-carter",
"surrealism",
"tale"
] | Dead Capitalism Theory - SCP Foundation | 22 | [] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"semiotics-hub",
"most-recently-created",
"marshall-carter-and-dark-hub",
"fifthist-hub",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed",
"shortest-pages-this-month",
"top-rated-pages-this-month"
] | [
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"http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/a-billing-null-factor/semiotics2.jpeg",
"http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/a-billing-null-factor/image3.png"
] | 1458224668 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dead-capitalism-theory |
|
divine-intervention | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p>Why hello there.</p>
<p>Come to chat up an old man, have you?</p>
<p>Eh? Another interview? Fine, fine. I see no reason to deny it. Could you do me a favor, though? Pass me that grape juice box on the bedside table. I would get up and grab it, but my bones aren't what they used to be anymore.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>How refreshing. Now, what was it you wanted to ask me about?</p>
<p>Ah, <em>that</em>. You had another name for it, at least before the changes happened. What was it again? <a href="/scp-6500">SCP-6500</a>? My, my, how far along we've come since the days of little old me, huh? Anyway, forgive me for reminiscing, it's all I've got left nowadays.</p>
<p>But yes, The Impasse. To tell you the truth, my child, I knew of it since it's waxing days, though I said nothing of it in hopes that you and yours would notice. It took far too long for your superiors to realize the world was at stake, and even longer for them to act. Unfortunate, yes?</p>
<p>Hmm?</p>
<p>Well, I couldn't interfere. It's not up to God to decide what happens to His creation. You have free will for a reason, my child. You were made in my image, after all, and I love you all so much.</p>
<p>You do your best as a Father. You raise your children; You prepare them for the world and then You let them go. You can’t swoop in every time Your children are struggling.</p>
<p>To do so would undermine the point of raising children. If they can’t solve their problems on their own, if they need You to save them every time they falter, then they’re nothing more than Your pets. I love you, so I respect you enough to save yourselves.</p>
<p>I see.</p>
<p>Doubt is such an ugly emotion to feel. But I do not fault you for it. After all, faith is blind trust in a higher power, and me being who I am, I did nothing to intervene. Yes, I am aware there were many lost. I know it was ugly. But like I said, I trusted you to save yourselves.</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p><em>Click.</em></p>
</div>
<p>What's this now?</p>
<p>Hmmm. I suppose there is only one way for us to know the truth or not. Pull the trigger, my child. Find out for us both, for I do not know myself. Do it.</p>
<p>Do it, and face the truth no matter what.<br/>
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<h1 id="toc0"><span>BANG!</span></h1>
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<p><span class="cycling">SCP-343</span><span class="cycling">VNP-343</span><span class="cycling">SCP-343</span><span class="cycling">VNP-343</span><span class="cycling">SCP-343</span><span class="cycling">VNP-343</span></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Item #:</strong> <span class="cycling">SCP-343</span><span class="cycling">VNP-343</span><span class="cycling">SCP-343</span><span class="cycling">VNP-343</span><span class="cycling">SCP-343</span><span class="cycling">VNP-343</span></p>
<p><strong>Object Class:</strong> <span class="cycling">Uncontained</span><span class="cycling">Neutralized</span><span class="cycling">Uncontained</span><span class="cycling">Neutralized</span><span class="cycling">Neutralized</span><span class="cycling">Uncontained</span><br/>
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[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:scp-pride">:scp-wiki:component:scp-pride</a>]]
[[>]]
[[module rate]]
[[/>]]
Why hello there.
Come to chat up an old man, have you?
Eh? Another interview? Fine, fine. I see no reason to deny it. Could you do me a favor, though? Pass me that grape juice box on the bedside table. I would get up and grab it, but my bones aren't what they used to be anymore.
Thank you.
How refreshing. Now, what was it you wanted to ask me about?
Ah, //that//. You had another name for it, at least before the changes happened. What was it again? [[[SCP-6500]]]? My, my, how far along we've come since the days of little old me, huh? Anyway, forgive me for reminiscing, it's all I've got left nowadays.
But yes, The Impasse. To tell you the truth, my child, I knew of it since it's waxing days, though I said nothing of it in hopes that you and yours would notice. It took far too long for your superiors to realize the world was at stake, and even longer for them to act. Unfortunate, yes?
Hmm?
Well, I couldn't interfere. It's not up to God to decide what happens to His creation. You have free will for a reason, my child. You were made in my image, after all, and I love you all so much.
You do your best as a Father. You raise your children; You prepare them for the world and then You let them go. You can’t swoop in every time Your children are struggling.
To do so would undermine the point of raising children. If they can’t solve their problems on their own, if they need You to save them every time they falter, then they’re nothing more than Your pets. I love you, so I respect you enough to save yourselves.
I see.
Doubt is such an ugly emotion to feel. But I do not fault you for it. After all, faith is blind trust in a higher power, and me being who I am, I did nothing to intervene. Yes, I am aware there were many lost. I know it was ugly. But like I said, I trusted you to save yourselves.
[[>]]
//Click.//
[[/>]]
What's this now?
Hmmm. I suppose there is only one way for us to know the truth or not. Pull the trigger, my child. Find out for us both, for I do not know myself. Do it.
Do it, and face the truth no matter what.
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[[span class="cycling"]]SCP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]VNP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]SCP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]VNP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]SCP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]VNP-343[[/span]]
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**Item #:** [[span class="cycling"]]SCP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]VNP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]SCP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]VNP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]SCP-343[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]VNP-343[[/span]]
**Object Class:** [[span class="cycling"]]Uncontained[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]Neutralized[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]Uncontained[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]Neutralized[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]Neutralized[[/span]][[span class="cycling"]]Uncontained[[/span]]
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[[module css]]
.cycling {
width:0;
display: inline-flex;
overflow: hidden;
animation-name: cycle;
animation-fill-mode: forwards;
animation-iteration-count: infinite;
animation-duration: 1s;
}
.cycling:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.16666s;}
.cycling:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.33333s;}
.cycling:nth-child(4) { animation-delay: 0.5s;}
.cycling:nth-child(5) { animation-delay: 0.66666s;}
.cycling:nth-child(6) { animation-delay: 0.83333s;}
@keyframes cycle{
0% { width:auto }
16.6% { width:auto }
16.7% { width:0 }
100% { width:0 }
}
.meta-title {
border-bottom: solid 1px #bbbbbb;
color: #990011;
font-weight: normal;
margin: 0 0 0.6em;
padding: 0 0 0.25em;
font-size: 200%;
}
.meta-title p {
margin: 0;
}
[[/module]]
| 2025-01-03T17:05:00 | [
"alleged-god",
"co-authored",
"first-person",
"no-return",
"tale"
] | Divine Intervention - SCP Foundation | 39 | [
"scp-6500"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"no-return-hub",
"foundation-tales",
"shortest-pages-this-month",
"top-rated-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458173309 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/divine-intervention |
|
fallout | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div style="display: none">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="code">
<div class="hl-main">
<pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_lightmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">darkmode-logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_darkmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Inter', 'verdana'</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">base-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">misc-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#464646</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E6283C</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-hover-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Color</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Accents</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">accent:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-default:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-wyoming:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">142</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-canada:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-poland:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">87</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">44</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">17</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-slothspit:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-vanguard:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">153</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">75</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-threshold:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">121</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">113</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-overwatch:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">28</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">37</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">56</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-spc:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">165</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-fishing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">67</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">111</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-nightfall:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">151</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-hybrasil:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-goc:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">39</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">84</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">149</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-spooky:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">112</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
:</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">),
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.8</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 620</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}</span></pre></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="preview">
<p>“Mister President, fifteen minutes ago, the Foundation detonated a nuclear device on American soil.”</p>
</div>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<table style="margin:0; padding:0">
<tr>
<td style="margin:0; padding:0">
<div id="toc">
<div id="toc-action-bar"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.foldToc(event)">Fold</a><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.unfoldToc(event)" style="display: none">Unfold</a></div>
<div class="title">Table of Contents</div>
<div id="toc-list">
<div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc0">1. SOMETHING WICKED</a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc1">2. UNDER THE GUN</a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc2">3. TRAUMA RESPONSE</a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc3">4. SHOCK AND AWE</a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc4">5. COCKED PISTOL</a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc5">6. CRESCENDO</a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc6">7. DOUBLE TAKE</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h2 id="toc0"><span><span style="color: red">1. SOMETHING WICKED</span></span></h2>
<hr/>
<p><strong>11/26/2009</strong></p>
<p><a href="/scp-616">The red door has opened.</a></p>
<p>Inwards flows the smoke, the rot, the charnel current of unreality. Seven, the chosen, the holy, stand in opposition, in mythic struggle. They chant sacraments from spittle-flecked lips and the dead chant with them. Twenty-thousand feet in the air they stand, braced against the gates of Hell.</p>
<p><span style="color: #3394dc">“Our father, who art in heaven”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: red">Arak-nesha, ara-tho, tamarin-tesh, rakem</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #3394dc">“Preserve us against-”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: red">Tamarin-tesh, blavin rath, arak-nesha, arak-nesha-</span></p>
<p>Sweat dribbles down creased, white-haired brows into starched collars now all askew.</p>
<p><span style="color: #3394dc">“Lead us not into temptation”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: red">el khasham kamzu</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #3394dc">“Unto all evil-”</span></p>
<p>Hell scrabbles and screams and bites but faith suffuses them, burns them, turns mortal muscle to steel, mortal voices to holy fire.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">nathzar raz shamkash seth-</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #3394dc">“-commend thee”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: red">-avarika-avarika-avarika-avarika-</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #3394dc">“-who ART in heaven’</span></p>
<p>The door is holding- holding-</p>
<p>“Fox-2.”</p>
<p>The AIM-9M bursts into a cloud of hypersonic tungsten off the cabin’s starboard side. Holy struggle resolves into red mist. Theology becomes physics.</p>
<p>SCP-616 splinters into flaming hail over the skies of Colorado, and Hell follows with it.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="dictation">
<p>FOUNDATION WEBCRAWLER OSV4.4499FF INTERCEPT OF PHOTO TAKEN IN MEEKER TOWNSHIP, COLORADO 2033GMT11272009</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Two men in black, a woman in white, and seven gray monitors stare at each other over a glass table. The mood is grim.</p>
<p>“Shoki failed.”</p>
<p>The one who speaks first has hands of gold. As he talks, his fingers quietly scrape against each other- <em>skntch skntch skntch</em>- and gleaming slivers fall, tinkling against the table.</p>
<p>“Cause?”</p>
<p>One of the monitors responds, SCUFFLE filter rendering its voice dull, anonymous, and utterly banal.</p>
<p>“This is a deviation. Someone <em>interfered</em>.”</p>
<p>The scraping stops.</p>
<p>“Damnation. Are we looking at an XK?”</p>
<p>The woman, thin blonde hair pulled back into a tight knot, clears her throat.</p>
<p>“Thankfully, no, not yet. Forensics says we got lucky. Population density along the crash zone was just below minimum viability. Initial casualty projections-”</p>
<p>“Sorry to keep you all waiting.”</p>
<p>Faces turn. A man is in the doorway. There’s soot on his clothes, and his footsteps leave the floor blackened. Not burnt- a careful distinction, that.</p>
<p>“One. Good to see you.”</p>
<p>The man takes his seat, brushing ash off of the shoulders of his overcoat, and the others orient towards him, turning in place. It is a round table, this quorum of the Overseers, but it has a head nonetheless.</p>
<p>“We are, at this moment, theoretically in violation of the Montreal Protocol<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup>.”</p>
<p>The woman in white lets her glasses drop from shaking fingers. “PENTAGRAM has made overtures, then?”</p>
<p>One shakes his head.</p>
<p>“Not yet. Notice I said <em>theoretically</em>. Although a failure to maintain Shoki is grounds for the nullification of the protections afforded to us under Montreal, that provision assumes that said failure would’ve either resulted in an XK, or in the detonation of nuclear devices over major American population centers. To my knowledge, neither of those events have taken place.”</p>
<p>O5-6 frowns, golden fingers clenching rigidly.</p>
<p>“That’s a thin fucking line to rely on, One. Borders on <em>technicality</em>.”</p>
<p>“I disagree. As I understand it, the situation at the crash site is… uncertain, but practically amenable. Seven?”</p>
<p>Heads turn. The woman in white rubs at her temples, hair coming undone.</p>
<p>“Potentially- potentially yes. At this point, the hellgate should be self-sustaining, diminished but self-sustaining. There couldn’t have been enough souls close enough to the crash site to have immediately allowed for first or second-order traversal.”</p>
<p>“You’re certain?”</p>
<p>She almost smiles.</p>
<p>“Well, last I checked, the sky isn’t bleeding, so yes. Reasonably certain. At this point it’s still possible for the aperture to be sealed, but it’d take, god- it’d take every mage we have in North America. Me included. The logistical considerations alone-”</p>
<p>Gold fingers tap against glass, rhythm inscrutable.</p>
<p>“-and we’d have to be guarded throughout the process. There’s no telling how many lower-grade entities are coming through as we speak, and-”</p>
<p>“I’d be willing to authorize usage of the Helian Door.”</p>
<p>Murmurs rise from the monitors, overlapping atonal voices blending into staticky incomprehension. Seven stops mid-sentence, brushing strands of blonde hair out of her eyes.</p>
<p>“Thank you, Six.”</p>
<p>One steeples his fingers.</p>
<p>“Returning to the subject at hand, it seems to me that we are facing, at the moment, a containment breach. One of significant proportions, yes, but a simple containment breach nonetheless. Part of the status quo- a status quo <em>protected</em> under the Montreal Protocols. I believe that if we act quickly and decisively to resolve this crisis, PENTAGRAM will not pursue annulment.”</p>
<p><em>“You cannot be certain.”</em></p>
<p>Impossibly, the interjection cuts through SCUFFLE as a vitriolic hiss. Seven winces, clutching at her head, turning to stare daggers at the offending monitor.</p>
<p>“You would trust PENTAGRAM to act in good faith?”</p>
<p>“I would trust PENTAGRAM to act <em>in its own self-interest</em>.”</p>
<p>Six laughs, golden fingers running through thinning hair.</p>
<p>“You and I both know that’s almost as bad, One.”</p>
<p>“I see no alternative. Would you have us resort to Ganymede while a hellgate escalates in plain daylight? Turtle up to weather against hypothetical retaliation when a very real threat to our mandate is right there to be dealt with?”</p>
<p>Six scowls. “I do not like the shape of this. A pitfall at every turn. It stinks of <em>interference</em>.”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>UNCLEAR PROBABILITIES DIVERGENT UNCLEAR</p>
</div>
<p>The voice echoes from the walls, resonant. An eighth monitor rises soundlessly from the floor, black and featureless, a column of basalt. It serves no real purpose other than conversational courtesy. The thing it represents no longer has use for such frivolities as <em>perspective</em>. One turns to address it nonetheless, dipping his head politely.</p>
<p>“Three. Glad you could make it.”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>TWENTY-THREE PERCENT OPERATIONAL CAPACITY PRESENT AND RECORDING</p>
</div>
<p>The last man in the room twitches. Copper-corded limbs convulse and dead eyes shift subtly in a chalk-white face, pulled too taut over the skull.</p>
<p>“It is the opinion of the Counterintelligence Directorate that there has been no significant compromise of deterrence systems concurrent to the present incident.”</p>
<p>The factotum’s voice is baritonal, deep and gravelly. Seven shifts in her seat uncomfortably.</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>AGREEMENT SIXTY SEVEN PERCENT CONCURRENCE</p>
</div>
<p>“Thank you, gentlemen. That simplifies matters.”</p>
<p>One leans forward in his seat.</p>
<p>“I clarify my proposal. The creation of a temporary Amalgamated Task Force with the sole directive of containing the hellgate-”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>PROVISIONAL SIX ONE SIX DASH THREE</p>
</div>
<p>“-yes, thank you, to be directly overseen by Seven. The commendation of all necessary non-garrisoned personnel and logistical assets for this purpose, until such time as containment has been established. Extraordinary Mobilization.”</p>
<p>“You are calling for the expenditure of our entire North American rapid response capability on a single anomaly.” Six scoffs, incredulous.</p>
<p>“I am.”</p>
<p>“You of all people should understand how <em>singularly vulnerable</em> of a position that’d put us in.”</p>
<p>One stands, beginning to pace the room. The monitors turn to follow his movements.</p>
<p>“I would remind this chamber that the Foundation’s continued existence has always been dependent on remaining, in the eyes of the world, slightly more palatable than the alternative. Part of that is due to our deterrence doctrine, yes, but, I’d like to think a larger part is due to the work that we do, the sacrifices that every person here has made and continues to make towards the cause. We are presented with an opportunity, gentlemen, to once again demonstrate our value- to persevere against the darkness that none other dare to touch.”</p>
<p>He’s emphatic now, gesticulating, in his element.</p>
<p>A monitor chimes in, corroborating.</p>
<p>“It does seem particularly unlikely that PENTAGRAM would arrange for the creation of an active hellgate on American soil solely to fabricate casus belli to act against us. And even so, why <em>now</em>?”</p>
<p>“My point exactly.”</p>
<p>Six turns towards One. Blue eyes meet brown, challenging.</p>
<p>“Shall we put it to a vote?”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="dictation">
<p>MOTION FOR EXTRAORDINARY MOBILIZATION</p>
<p><span style="color: green">PASS</span></p>
<p><span style="color: green">7</span>-<span style="color: red">4</span> (1 ABST)</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<div class="dictation">
<p>FOUNDATION ORBITAL ASSET NCAVSAT3993 IMAGE OF PROVISIONAL SCP-616-3 TAKEN IN MEEKER TOWNSHIP, COLORADO 1433GMT11282009</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p><strong>11/28/2009</strong><br/>
Meeker Township, Colorado<br/>
Population: 1,866</p>
<p>The Foundation’s best fall on Meeker with the luminous gaze of apportated advance teams stalking haunted streets in lethal silence. Grid-squares are secured block by block, chthonic wails silenced by suppressed weaponry and muttered incantations.</p>
<p>The noose tightens.</p>
<p>On a whispered signal, the Helian Door hisses open in a plume of superheated gas. Walls of plasma bloom on the outskirts of Meeker, golden gates bright as the inside of the sun disgorging soldiers, vehicles, prefab watchtowers and concertainer.</p>
<p>Cast in the blood-light of the hellgate’s shadow, they look almost like heroes.</p>
<p>Above them the sky bleeds and below them the earth distends with horror but they are the Foundation at war. Demons howl and hellfire rains from the scarlet sky in hissing droplets but they are the Foundation at war, and so their fire is steady and their maneuver is swift.</p>
<p>Walls erupt from the blood-mist, knife edged, topped with concertina wire and spotlights. Hard-helmeted men with blue coveralls and determined expressions drive iron stakes into the flagellated earth as black-kevlar regiments hold the line with tactical sacrament and blessed gunfire mere feet away. There is none of the mechanized brutality of a Coalition fire mission, the esotericism of a Psychotronics intervention, the heedless overkill that is PENTAGRAM’s penchant.</p>
<p>The perimeter forms, the perimeter holds, and the perimeter expands.</p>
<p>This is the Foundation at war.</p>
<hr/>
<h2 id="toc1"><span><span style="color: red">2. UNDER THE GUN</span></span></h2>
<hr/>
<p>O5-7 ducks out of the helicopter, brushing thin blonde hair out of her eyes as the dry wind snags at her ponytail. The air stinks, petrochemical reek and gunpowder fumes mixing into an eye-watering miasma that has her retching, coughing into her fist, almost doubling over. Footsteps hurry towards her across the tamped dirt, and a black-gloved hand presses a respirator into her fingers.</p>
<p>She accepts it gratefully, clipping the mask on over her nose.</p>
<p>“Sorry about the, ah, atmospheric situation, ma’am. The techies say the skip’s mucking with the airflow. Something about environmental resonance.”</p>
<p>The trooper shuffles apologetically, gas-masked gaze scrupulously avoiding her face. There’s a distinct unease to his stance, and his arm hovers awkwardly at his side, as if unsure whether or not to offer her a hand.</p>
<p>She gives him a reassuring smile, following him down the makeshift staging ground towards the first of the barricades. Periodically, chattering gunfire cuts through the scarlet smog, followed by echoing, resonant shrieks that linger uncomfortably in the black between her eyes. She grits her teeth, shaking her head irritably.</p>
<p>The command tent is a buzzing hive of fluttering white coats and blue coveralls punctuated by the shrill screams of power tools and the bassy thrum of thaumoelectric generators. Two guards flank the entrance flap, snapping to attention as she approaches. She takes a moment to shrug off her heavy greatcoat, nodding gratefully as the trooper considerately moves to receive the mass of warded fabric. Stretching her shoulders, she reaches for nonspace with a twist of will, pulling against the air. Laminated white polyester slides into her hand from the gap between atoms.</p>
<p>Slipping on her labcoat, O5-7 steps into the command post.</p>
<p>“OVERSEER ON DECK!”</p>
<p>The shout ripples through the room. A hundred pairs of feet stand at attention, a ring of stoic faces following her every move, encircling her like sunflowers facing the sun. Bile rises in her throat, but Seven bites it back down. She gives them what she hopes is a winning smile.</p>
<p>“Could I have a word with Commander Jefferson? Everyone else, back to your stations.”</p>
<p>The room mutedly resumes movement, voices hushed, a hundred pairs of ears straining to grasp at the edict of a demigod, the command of an Overseer. Even the power tools sound sullen, whirring anxiously.</p>
<p>“That would be me, ma’am.” A voice calls from the back of the room, deep and baritonal.</p>
<p>Seven turns to take his measure. Dark brown eyes set in an alert, clean-shaven face, marred by an impressive scar distorting the corner of his mouth into an exaggerated, downturned scowl. Nondescript Foundation BDUs, ironed crisp, polished boots and a holstered pistol at his hip. She knows the type. She's seen a thousand of him in her tenure, across a dozen different sites and half a hundred task forces.</p>
<p>Sometimes, she wondered if the Foundation really was cloning people.</p>
<p>One had never quite given her a straight answer when she’d asked.</p>
<p>“How is the situation on the ground?”</p>
<p>Jefferson’s face sours.</p>
<p>“To be frank? Not great.”</p>
<p>There’s a sustained burst of gunfire, followed by a succession of concussive blasts that rattle the tent, as if to punctuate his point. More ephemeral screaming. Seven tries to keep the wince off of her face.</p>
<p>“We’ve secured the perimeter, constructed defenses, gotten basic operational infrastructure up and running. The boys from Nu-7 are working on bringing the nuclear contingency online.”</p>
<p>He hesitates, shoulders slumping slightly.</p>
<p>“We’re beginning to encounter insurmountable logistical issues. They’re coming from the gate at a rate that’s eventually going to outpace our ammunition supply. I’ve had the suppression teams working in shifts since day one, but everyone’s on edge. It feels like we’re going to be overrun.”</p>
<p>Jefferson meets her gaze fully for the first time.</p>
<p>“To be honest, ma’am, I think the men are expecting you to pull a rabbit out of a hat.”</p>
<p>After a beat, he blanches, quickly looking down. “N-no offense.” Seven notices sudden perspiration gleaming on his forehead and sighs internally.</p>
<p>“None taken.”</p>
<p>The entrance flap rustles. A balding, potbellied man in a disheveled black rubber apron bursts through, scanning the tent apprehensively. Jefferson waves him over.</p>
<p>“That’d be Doctor Jameson from Beta-77. To my understanding, he and his team have been waiting for you.”</p>
<p>“Thank you, Commander. That’ll be all.”</p>
<p>He salutes her again, snapping his heels together.</p>
<p>Seven turns to go, then hesitates. Facing the room, she raises her voice, trying her best to sound authoritative, calm, to project control the way One does so effortlessly.</p>
<p>“I’ve been told that some of you here have been expecting a miracle. The good news is, that is my department. Carry on.”</p>
<p>Her voice sounds wavering, even to her, but the room gives an appreciative cheer nonetheless. Swallowing nausea, Seven follows the doctor out of the tent.</p>
<p>There is work to be done.</p>
<hr/>
<p>A demon’s severed head drips orange ichor onto the blue tarping of the lab bench. It’s vaguely selachian, mottled gray skin streaked with phosphorescent blue stripes. Two jagged arcs of obsidian curve from its forehead like antlers, glistening wetly. As Seven watches, serpentine pupils dilate in lidless sockets, swiveling up to look at her. The thing’s mouth twitches.</p>
<p>Seven slides another silver needle into its skull.</p>
<p>Jameson stands next to her, bearded face furrowed. Sweat pours off of his bald scalp and runs down his face in perspicuous droplets. Occasionally, he mops at his face with a yellow handkerchief, though it barely seems to help. Seven doesn’t mind. At least he hasn’t tried to salute her yet.</p>
<p>“We’re uh, pretty sure that the instances coming through the gate are, for all intents and purposes, fully substantiated. If you would let go of the probe, ma’am?”</p>
<p>Seven nods, stepping back from the desk. Jameson taps rapidly on the keyboard cradled to his chest, then hits enter.</p>
<p>The lights of the mobile laboratory flicker, the background hum of ventilation fans sputtering to a halt. The demon’s head twitches, eyes rolling back as each of the seven silver spikes buried in its skull flare a brilliant, blinding blue. There is a smell like rotting eggs and abscesses. Seven turns away, sleeve pulled over her mouth.</p>
<p>“If that thing had been a normal manifestation, it would've been disintegrated by the disvocation matrix we just pumped into it.”</p>
<p>The head is still there, faintly steaming, clotted orange ichor leaking slowly from each eye. It no longer twitches. Jameson’s mouth curls with distaste, and he moves to dislodge the silver spikes, sliding each out of the demon’s flesh with a wet squelch.</p>
<p>Seven nods, comprehending.</p>
<p>“Instead of being matter from our reality held together by will from the outside, the demon has crossed over fully, body and bowel. The hellgate isn’t just manifesting them. It’s translating them into our dimension.”</p>
<p>Jameson slides the head into a biowaste crate and sighs, sealing the lid.</p>
<p>“Precisely, ma'am. I'm sure you see where the problem is.”</p>
<p>“We can’t just seal off the breach. They’d just force their way through, regardless of the warding schema. We actually have to close it altogether.”</p>
<p>Seven peels off ichor-slick gloves, rubbing her hands together, beginning to pace the room.</p>
<p>“I want this laboratory to myself for the next twelve hours. Access to every scrap of data you’ve collected about the hellgate, about Meeker, local geological and thaumaturgic readings. A thaumoelectric generator. As much coffee as can reasonably be had. And a whiteboard.”</p>
<p>Jameson looks up from wiping down the bench, face pale. Seven realizes a slow grin has spread across her face. She lets it sit there until Jameson looks away.</p>
<p>“Yes ma’am, uh, O5-7 ma’am, of-of course. Right away.”</p>
<p>“One more thing, Jameson.”</p>
<p>“Yes?”</p>
<p>“Bring me more of their <span style="color: #b200ed">heads</span>.”</p>
<hr/>
<p><span style="color: red">The little things are running.</span></p>
<p>Asveth Korgaul, twenty-eighth to taste the true blood of the Tree, nineteenth of the Mighty, <span style="color: red">he-who-is-favored-in-murder</span> lifts a head the size of minor moons and sniffs at the bloodsoaked air of Upper Megiddo. A hemisphere's worth of sanguine, sulfuric atmosphere draws into cavernous nostrils, deep and dark as holes in space.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">The little things are running.</span></p>
<p>The plain beneath him crawls with infernal activity. Lines of the <span style="color: red">lesser</span> squirm like maggots in writhing columns, trailing into a blazing horizon eternities away. Asveth Korgaul stretches his many, many arms. Obsidian mountains turn to slag and blow away. His movement sets the <span style="color: red">little things</span> to flight, all scurrying away, <em><strong><span style="color: red">all fleeing in the same direction.</span></strong></em></p>
<p>This observation is sufficiently interesting.</p>
<p>Claws like the death of the sun dig kilometers deep into the ashen turf as he makes his stately way across the black plain of infinity. Trillions of the <span style="color: red">lesser</span> lie dead and dying in his wake, a blooming sea of ichor dotted with pale islands of tartarean ash. He pays them no heed.</p>
<p>The horizon speaks to him of war.</p>
<hr/>
<h2 id="toc2"><span><span style="color: red">3. TRAUMA RESPONSE</span></span></h2>
<hr/>
<p>O5-6 watches the latest numbers scrolling across his screen and decides to take another shot. Liquid fire, silky smooth, trickles achingly down his throat. Golden fingers fiddle with the plastic safety cap of the Armageddon Button, flicking it up, then down, up, then down.</p>
<p>It’s not actually a button, of course, more of a switch, really, and truth be told not particularly apocalyptic compared to some of the other ones at his immediate disposal. He sits nestled at the center of Site-01, enshrined in the shining, sterile, utterly secure heart of the Foundation. He is the only living, breathing thing within ███ kilometers. He is, practically speaking, the loneliest man alive.</p>
<p>Seven left by apportation thirty minutes after the meeting ended. One had kept him company for a little while longer, gossiping of this and that matter of state, before cheerfully stepping into the fireplace and turning to ash. Off to his bunker in the Mojave no doubt, off to beat gods at dice and host devils for dinner and delegate everything actually important to everyone else.</p>
<p>Wiping at his mouth, Six reaches for the nearest keyboard.</p>
<div class="elaimal">
<p>INITIALIZING O5COM_v14.3 SECURE TELECOM INTERFACE<br/>
INSTANCE 3455 LOGGED<br/>
WELCOME, O5-6</p>
<p>O5-6: Just received hourlies from Meeker. Not good.</p>
<p>O5-1: I saw.</p>
<p>O5-6: PENTAGRAM’s going to notice soon, if they haven’t already. Only a matter of time until something big comes through.</p>
<p>O5-1: Seven has it under control.</p>
<p>O5-6: She’s been on-site for eighteen hours already. Hasn’t responded to pings. Contacted local command, says she hasn’t been out of the lab since she arrived. She’s fumbling, One.</p>
<p>O5-1: Trust me, she’ll pull through.</p>
<p>O5-6: And if she doesn’t? Only option we have left is Ganymede. No way in hell PENTAGRAM doesn’t respond after that. Don’t like how they’re keeping so quiet in the meantime anyhow. Unusual.</p>
<p>O5-1: PENTAGRAM is handled, for now. You have my word. We’ll worry about Ganymede when and if it comes to that.</p>
<p>O5-6: We don’t have a lot of time left. Hours, at most. I ask again, are you certain?</p>
<p>O5-1: Seven will pull through. She’s one of mine.</p>
<p>O5-6: Understood.</p>
<p>O5-1 DISCONNECTED<br/>
INSTANCE 3455 TERMINATED</p>
</div>
<p>Six fills another glass with amber flame and drains it dry.</p>
<p>The numbers on the monitor tick steadily higher.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Sgt. Calvin Freedman is having a smoke break when the Morris counter starts beeping. And doesn’t stop.</p>
<p>“Shit. Mount up!”</p>
<p>He clambers into the open hatch of the Bradley. Old springs, long gone stiff, dig sharply into his back. He winces.</p>
<p>The damned things were relics, dredged up from the dying days of the Cold War. Their arthritic engines had practically given the pit crew a nervous conniption upon inspection, and traversing the turret for any length of time filled the basket with the agonized screeching of neglected servos. There was a reason Hammer Down hadn’t deployed in force since the eighties: the arsenal beneath Ruby Mountain was practically a boneyard, half of it stolen from other boneyards.</p>
<p>At least the bushmasters still worked.</p>
<p>The backline clamors with activity, vast auto-censers vaporizing industrial quantities of frankincense and myrrh over a pyramid of piled ammunition crates as black flocks of conscripted vestry recite tactical sacrament with a fervor comprehensible only to the damned. Gun crews scramble up and down the palisades, skidding into foxholes, rapping atop sigil-touched turrets rotating as one to face the very mouth of Hell, white-hot on their thermals.</p>
<p>Morris counters up and down the line simultaneously crescendo into ear-splitting screeches that rise into frequencies inaudible, before shorting out altogether in sparking bursts of static.</p>
<p>Freedman looks towards the burning horizon, swallows his Zyn, and pre-sights the main gun.</p>
<p>The last belts are loaded, the last hatches are sealed, the last pieces of chewing tobacco spat ignominiously into the rusty earth.</p>
<p>There is a terrible, breathless, aching silence.</p>
<p>The earth shifts, boils, shatters.</p>
<p>“Weapons free.”</p>
<p>Hell follows.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Asveth Korgaul is close now, so terribly, achingly close. The plain beneath him writhes with a living carpet of the <span style="color: red">lesser</span>, like red water flowing over and under his limbs, biting at adamantite scales, crushed by the millions beneath every quaking step.</p>
<p>He sees now the reason for their congregation.</p>
<p>There is a <span style="color: red">tear</span>.</p>
<p>A small one, a pale bloom of pink stretched against the undersky, a galactic teratoma compressed into a pulsing, wrathful singularity by exquisite agony. It leads, he sees now, it leads to a <span style="color: red">lesser</span> world, already spindled by threads of <span style="color: red">red</span> and black, balanced on the very precipice of <strong>order</strong>.</p>
<p>He bends his head in supplication to the Wounded Lord of Heaven and his prayer sounds with the thundering chorus of high-altitude thermonuclear detonation, with the hiss of cosmic background radiation, with the cries of children in pain.</p>
<p>He sheds many of his arms, for the <span style="color: red">lesser</span> world cannot bear them as they are. He sheds his adamantite scales for ones of mere graphene, his supernova claws for ones of base enchantment. He sheds his black crown and places it reverently on the ground, where it immediately begins melting its way down into the crust of Upper Megiddo.</p>
<p>Naked, supplicant, purified, he ascends towards the undersky upon winds of slaughter.</p>
<p>His pilgrimage awaits.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">tamarin tesh asham korgath turnal tamarin tesh avashin tomath vaten ela ela ela tamarin tesh</span></p>
<p>Before him, the <span style="color: red">lesser</span> flee, maddened with terror, and behind him they flock in untold billions. Eagerly, they await their chance to spread the <span style="color: red">good word</span>.</p>
<hr/>
<p>The obsidian <em>khopesh</em> glides through 25 mm of composite-wrapped steel plating like so much wrapping paper. Sgt Calvin Freedman feels it slice through his plate carrier, hook up into his ribcage, and <em>pull</em>.</p>
<p>He coughs, a small, surprised noise. His face feels sticky and warm and blood runs down the plastic screen of the FCS display in front of him in black rivulets. Offhandedly, he feels a moment of sympathy for the cleanup crew.</p>
<p>Golden claws gleam through the gash in the hull, widening the gap in a screech of tortured metal. He coughs again, wetly. Something in his chest pops and deflates.</p>
<p>A figure stares down at him from the breach, black on red, bipedal, covered with a dense carpet of wriggling tendrils like the underbelly of a millipede. Six insectoid arms grip the edges of the cut, pulling. The side of the Bradley falls away into ribbons of twisted steel.</p>
<p>It’s grinning at him.</p>
<p>He grins back.</p>
<p>Blood-slick fingers reach for the detcord of the claymore mine strapped across his chest, pulling the pin.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Fifteen minutes into the battle sees Commander Lionel Jefferson realize that all is lost.</p>
<p>The command tent rattles with the blast of the handful of ancient Paladins that consist of the sum total of the Foundation’s artillery corps. Privately, he doubts that even ten times their number would’ve been enough to make a difference.</p>
<p>If he survived, Jefferson resolves, clenching his teeth, he’d have the Logistics Division lined up against the wall and shot. He’d do it himself if he had to.</p>
<p>There had simply been too many of them. Sheer volume of bodies had nearly instantaneously overwhelmed the output of the first killzones, a red wave pouring over concertina wire and trenches to slam liquidly against the first set of palisades. Almost half of the Bradleys had been lost in those frantic first minutes, dug-in outside the walls. There simply had been nowhere to retreat them to, not after the primary fallback routes had become entirely inundated by swarms of blue-feathered, multi-headed pangolins that spit acid, ate metal and ran at highway speeds. He’d ordered them abandoned instead, scuttled with blessed thermite and satchel charges, and personally watched from atop the concertainer as the bonfires flared up one by one, each briefly illuminating the scuttling, crawling stream of bodies before snuffing out.</p>
<p>Not a single crewman had belayed the order.</p>
<p>Not a single one had made it back behind the walls.</p>
<p>The emplacement itself would hold for a while longer, at least. He’d ordered the M113s, alongside the remaining Bradleys, up onto dirt ramps, depressing their Vulcans over the palisade to fire point-blank into the horde as they scrabbled and scratched at the base of the walls. Jefferson was confident that they’d manage to keep the demons at bay for as long as the ammo held out.</p>
<p>By his most generous estimates, they’d last for another half-hour.</p>
<p>Staring through the blood-mist at his crumbling frontline, Commander Lionel Jefferson comes to the terrible realization that the Montana National Guard genuinely might’ve done better in his position. For the first time in twenty years of honorable service, despair sets in.</p>
<p>There was only so much you could do with a scalpel, however sharp, when arrayed against an exploding volcano.</p>
<p>“Priority one is making sure the Overseer makes it out alive. Send five men from my alpha company to the lab. Make sure she’s on the first truck out of here. Start evacuating the backline staff to the minimum viable fallback distance alongside the remaining garrison force. Send anyone left to the front. Ping Overwatch, flag STARFIRE BRAVO NOVA, and tell the nukies to get the bomb ready. We’re going to take out as many of these fuckers-”</p>
<p>“OVERSEER ON DECK!”</p>
<p>Through the din, through the artillery, the sounds of slaughter, and the screeching of Hell, those three words cut like a prayer.</p>
<p>Jefferson turns towards the entrance of the command post.</p>
<p>O5-7 is standing there, a flock of white coats trailing reverently in her wake, faces cast in supplicant admiration. Her thin blonde hair is unwound, falling around her shoulders in scraggly streams, and she’s smiling.</p>
<p>There’s nothing nervous about it this time, no hint of uncertainty or doubt. It’s a smile that casts a shadow, balanced on the knife’s edge of wild, unconscious charisma and cackling madness. It’s a smile that cuts like a tungsten rod dropped from orbit.</p>
<p>It’s the smile of one about to do the impossible.</p>
<p>Against all experience, all rational belief, all smatterings of common sense, Jefferson feels his heart beating with wild hope. His arm is raised in salute. He doesn’t even remember doing it. The tent is quiet. The battle is quiet. Hell itself seems to have gone quiet.</p>
<p>The Overseer’s command rings out like the edict of a demigod.</p>
<p>“I need to borrow your nuclear bomb.”</p>
<hr/>
<h2 id="toc3"><span><span style="color: red">4. SHOCK AND AWE</span></span></h2>
<hr/>
<p>The <span style="color: red">lesser</span> world is close enough to taste and indeed he tastes it now, wild and heady, incensed with smoke, heavy with blood, thin and tender and sweet with slaughter.</p>
<p>Asveth Korgaul throws back his head and ululates with many mouths, singing in blessed supplication to the Almighty Lord of Pain. He rends at Time with many hands, cuts at Space with many claws. The tear in the undersky bleeds and the space between is awash in red.</p>
<p>Below him the <span style="color: red">lesser</span> join in infernal chorus, a billion, billion feet stamping upon the face of the abyss, a billion, billion prayers rising like screams into a sky that splinters and cracks, a clamor that is <span style="color: red">legion</span>, sevenfold.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">URATH UDAL TAMARIN TESH ASVETH KORGAUL RASHIM UDAL URATH SADDAKT TAVIN</span></p>
<p>Slowly, slowly, the undersky opens, weeping ribbons of red.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Conquest awaits.</span></p>
<hr/>
<p>The woman that is seven of thirteen, that is ████ █████, that is Overseer, that is Hierophant, that is Blasphemer, that is uncertain, that is unclear, that is <em>nonetheless</em> bares herself to the world and prepares to bring forth miracle.</p>
<p>Her right hand holds a silvered knife. Her left hand is hidden.</p>
<p>White-coats stand in tabernacle chorus, faces bent in supplication. They read an incantation from a teleprompter, voices ringing with conjoined power, and it is thus.</p>
<p><span style="color: #b200ed">Miracles are paid for in blood.</span></p>
<p>From the crumbling frontline, from the desperate struggle that yet rages scant feet away from the convocation, ichor flows in a red river over the rusty earth, the life-blood of a hundred good men twisting in the air to form the base of a circle, ring within rings.</p>
<p>The seventh raises her anathame blade in salute, then slides it softly across her palm.</p>
<p>Hers is the blood of an order that bestrides the earth, that has bound gods and brought them to heel, shattered nations and remade them. It flows from her palm and forms a sigil, <em>the</em> sigil, hovering in the center of the martyr’s circle.</p>
<p>Three arrows, facing inwards, intersecting a ring.</p>
<p><span style="color: #b200ed">Miracles are paid for in blood.</span></p>
<p>Here is the voice to call down thunder, to sunder the earth. Here is power, resonant, coruscant, writhing and rabid. Here is the woman that brings it to heel.</p>
<p>The seventh’s voice joins the chorus in ringing, clarion <span style="color: #b200ed">assertion</span>.</p>
<p><span style="color: #b200ed">Foe’s crown,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">Law of steel,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">Circle unbroken,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">I rescind your invitation,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">Worm-that-is-king,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">Emperor-of-snakes,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">Nothing-and-nowhere</span></p>
<p>This is a gauntlet thrown, and it must know an answer.</p>
<p>There is a rumbling, a deep tremor in the bloodsoaked earth. The ranks of Hell still, turning as one to face the burning pit, kneeling in the dust. The defenders left atop the wall rally, cutting them down in their unmoving hundreds. This is no matter.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Asveth Korgaul is come.</span></p>
<p>From the hellgate a black arm erupts, ten stories high, trailing gouts of baleful flame. The blood-mist thickens, congeals, dripping into respirators, choking, sickening, rancid.</p>
<p>There is a terrible, triumphant, trumpeting howl, and it is thus.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">tamarin tesh asham korgath turnal tamarin tesh avashin tomath vaten ela ela ela tamarin tesh</span></p>
<p><span style="color: red">shomaush shomaush, shomaush teshet raketh</span></p>
<p><span style="color: red"><oh red lord, oh red lord, oh victorious red lord></span></p>
<p>The contest is met.<br/>
<strong>~</strong><br/>
<em>An old man and a young girl stare side-by-side at a shaky chalk diagram</em> <em>drawn onto the concrete floor of a cell. The old man smiles toothlessly,</em> <em>and flashes a thumbs up at the fisheye lens that watches them both from</em> <em>the ceiling. There is a pause. The silver-and-steel explosive collar</em> <em>wrapped around his neck hisses with pneumatic release and falls clattering</em> <em>to the floor. He rubs at his neck where the skin is raw and red and</em> <em>breathes in, deep. The girl stares up at him in sympathy.</em></p>
<p><em>The voice on the intercom blares an order. The old man picks up a scalpel,</em> <em>carefully peeling back the sterile plastic sheathe. He makes an incision</em> <em>on his index finger, holding it over the center of the chalk outline. The</em> <em>girl watches, fascinated, as three red droplets fall and splash into the</em> <em>center of the diagram.</em></p>
<p><em>There is a whisper that glides over her skin like a breeze.</em></p>
<p><em>Miracles are paid for in blood.</em><br/>
<strong>~</strong><br/>
The chanting continues, thesis and antithesis, <span style="color: #b200ed">assertion</span> and <span style="color: red">assertion</span>. The earth roils and fractures. Sections of the barricade are brought to ruin, its defenders dismayed, dismounting their vehicles and running for shelter, knowing themselves as ants in a titanomachy. High above, in the upper atmosphere, the air crackles and snaps with thaumoelectric discharge. The wind comes, dry and hot, smelling of ozone and blood. Some of the white-coats drop to their knees, crumpling to the ground like paper dolls. The rest continue the incantation, blinking sweat from bloodshot eyes. They cannot stop now.</p>
<p>The seventh reveals her hand at last.</p>
<p><span style="color: #b200ed">Martyr’s blood,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">King’s blood,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">Stolen dawn,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">Law of flame,</span><br/>
<span style="color: #b200ed">Glint on glass,</span></p>
<h2><span><span style="color: #ff7700">SUNRISE</span></span></h2>
<p>At the center of the circle the alpha warhead detonates in a plume of searing light.</p>
<p><span style="color: #b200ed">The seventh has bought her miracle with the blood of the sun.</span></p>
<p>She should be blind, seared and skinless. She should be ash, less than ash, molecular debris floating on radioactive wind. She clenches her fist and the nuclear plume rears into the air, bound ineffably by the circle into a spear of light a mile high. The white-coats are weeping tears of blood, broken lips still moving in recitation of the incantation seared into their skulls by atomic flame.</p>
<p>The seventh breathes in, breathes out, brings her fist to her chest with a final shout. The miracle flows into her like the breath of God.</p>
<p>For a moment, for an eternity, she is astride the world.</p>
<p>She spares the hellgate a single, smoldering glance, and <span style="color: #b200ed">calls down the sun.</span></p>
<hr/>
<p>O5-6 lets the glass slip from his fingers, shattering thousand-dollar liquor over billion-dollar floors.</p>
<p>“Holy fucking shit.”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="omalley">
<p>“Mister President, fifteen minutes ago, the Foundation detonated a nuclear device on American soil.”</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Asveth Korgaul feels the <span style="color: red">tear</span> slam shut on his arm, sundering it in a great gout of ichor.</p>
<p>He is falling, falling, falling back onto the black plain of the abyss.</p>
<p>His body crashes back into Upper Megiddo with the force of celestial impact. The crust shatters. Chains of magma wrap in iridescent tendrils around his many, many arms, pulling him down, down into the mantle, down into the infinite <span style="color: red">red</span> that pulses at the heart of the abyss, colder than the gulf between stars.</p>
<p>The <span style="color: red">master</span> is displeased.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Seven totters to the ground, smouldering, labcoat splaying around her in a pool of half-melted laminate. The rest of Beta-77 follows shortly after, slumping into the dust. Dimly, she’s aware of medical teams rushing the field, someone shouting orders.</p>
<p>“I’m okay”, she manages, through bruised and bleeding lips. “I’m okay. See to the others first.”</p>
<p>It’s raining over Meeker. The blood-mist washes away, extinguishing the lingering flames. Wounded are recovered, the dead gathered where they lie. What’s left of them, anyway. Those that can be identified are body-bagged. Graves are dug for those that can’t.</p>
<p>In the downpour, the second half of the mission begins.</p>
<p>Containment.</p>
<p>Hard-helmeted men with determined expressions and blue coveralls move into the town first, carefully navigating the glassy ruins left by atomic miracle. What concertainer segments remain intact are recovered, the rest reduced to rubble by acetylene torches and demolition charges. Concertina wire is respooled, foxholes and earthworks concealed and flattened by a small squadron of bulldozers.</p>
<p>In the end, the hellgate itself proves almost a mercy. Burnt out Bradleys and brass casings are collected, then piled en masse into the gaping maw. The first shovelful of dirt falls into the pit accompanied by rousing cheers. It’s bitter work, but spirits are high.</p>
<p>After all, they’ve just saved the world.</p>
<p>Foundation webcrawlers scour the internet, corrupting data, erasing files, deleting photos. Dusty departmental archives are raided, certain files defaced. A careful story is floated to select media outlets. Municipal, state, and federal officials disjointly receive word of some kind of disaster, a fire, maybe, or an earthquake. The reports are unclear and contradictory. What they are unanimous on, however, is that help is already on-site.</p>
<div class="dictation">
<p>The situation is under control.</p>
</div>
<p>A select few families receive knocks on the door in the middle of the night by faceless men in plain suits and dark glasses with official-looking badges. Their reach isn’t omnipresent nor omnipotent, not nearly so, but it doesn’t have to be.</p>
<p>Meeker is a small town, and it is made smaller.</p>
<p>Twelve hours after the hellgate closes- on the dot- it is as the adage goes.</p>
<p>Nobody who knows, cares, and nobody who cares, knows.</p>
<p>1,866 people cease to exist in any way that matters.</p>
<div class="dictation">
<p>SCP-616-3 is reclassified as neutralized by order of Foundation High Command as of 0100 GMT 11/30/2009</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p><strong>11/29/2009</strong><br/>
Langley, Virginia</p>
<p>Four large meat lovers’ with extra Italian sausage and bacon on the side. Three vegetarians’, hold the onions, hold the pepper, extra olives. Two anchovy and blue-cheese thin crusts, wrapped separately. Twelve assorted sodas and a milkshake.</p>
<p>Terrence and his manager exchange knowing looks.</p>
<p>“It’s one of <em>those</em> orders, isn’t it?”</p>
<p>The manager gives a subtle nod.</p>
<p>“Up or-” Terrence leans in close, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “-down?”</p>
<p>Down.</p>
<p>Racing down the 495, midnight wind blowing through his hair. Eighties radio blares from clapped-out speakers as the scent of grease fills the cabin.</p>
<p>Down.</p>
<p>He takes a right, onto the service road that bends between the trees, dark and deep. Past the escalating warning signs, past the soft perimeter of artfully concealed pressure plates and infrared cams, past the hard perimeter of retracted gun emplacements and the JSOC counter-assault team watching him through thousand-dollar thermals, past the steel gate that slides open, smooth and silent.</p>
<p>He parks just off the road, takes the stack of boxes, still warm, out of the trunk, and heads down.</p>
<p>Down, into the unassuming unmarked concrete access tunnel.</p>
<p>Down, past the recessed blast doors, past the bedrock, past the geomantic wards layered thick enough to bite.</p>
<p>Down, until his breath catches in his throat, short and sharp, misting the air.</p>
<p>Down, until space wraps around itself like a garrote wire, down into hypothetical N-space, down into everything that Langley ever was and everything Langley will ever be.</p>
<p>Welcome to PENTAGRAM. They’re good tippers.</p>
<p>The end of the passage opens up into an expansive entrance hall. Terrence makes his way to the reception desk, boxes balanced precariously, fastidiously avoiding the important looking people criss-crossing the marble floors in patent leather shoes.</p>
<p>“Hey Clark. Busy night?”</p>
<p>The blue-uniformed guard smiles tiredly and slides another twenty across the counter.</p>
<p>“Like you wouldn’t believe.”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="omalley">
<p>“No sir, this would not constitute an act of war.”</p>
<p>“Yes sir, the casualty estimates are accurate to the best of my knowledge. Yes sir, I do believe the risk is commensurate.”</p>
<p>“Yes sir, the Joint Chiefs stand ready. We’re waiting for your order, sir.”</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>The last graves are filled, tamped down, smoothed seamlessly into the rusty earth. Thaumoelectric generators are silenced, ritual engines doused with mare’s blood and serenaded to sleep, then bundled, cloth-covered, into a small fleet of M939s.</p>
<p>Seven sleek medevac helicopters descend from the slate sky, scrambled from Area-14. There’s a small dispute when Jefferson insists that O5-7 be seated on the first outbound flight.</p>
<p>“The wounded go first. There will be no more unnecessary deaths today. I will not allow it.”</p>
<p>Jefferson hesitates, then meets her gaze, nodding. Seven sees the reverence blooming in his expression, and hates herself a little for taking pride in it.</p>
<p>“Understood ma’am. I’ll make preparations for your presence in the convoy. ETA to Site-8 is seven hours and thirty minutes.”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="omalley">
<p>“With respect, sir, we need your decision now.”</p>
<p>“This is it. Make or break.”</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>The sun over Meeker is just touching the horizon when the convoy sets out.</p>
<p>They are not the first to leave. Much of the work of the day was spent mounting and securing the remaining Bradleys atop a series of flatbed haulers departing for the railroad junction at Glenwood Spring under the guise of an Army field exercise, and neither will they be the last. There is a garrison left behind, token perimeter security and a squad of glum-faced researchers who, having drawn short straws, will stay on-site for another three months, monitoring spacetime integrity and any lingering tartarean contamination. Seven attempts a pep talk, reciting the platitudes One bade her memorize by rote. The words feel plastic, artificial, but she sees their backs straighten nonetheless. She walks away before they can attempt a salute.</p>
<p>Seven stretches out in the mercifully empty backseat of the Humvee, letting out a shuddering breath. Thaumic exhaustion roils beneath her skin, flaring into painful spasms that leave her wincing, rubbing at her arms. She wonders at the lengths Jefferson must have gone to reserve an entire vehicle for her personal use, stifling a guilty smirk as she pictures a squad of grim-faced operators sitting stoically in each other’s laps.</p>
<p>Her eyes slip shut, just for a moment.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="omalley">
<p>Cigarette smoke curls dimly in the blue light, spun into a slow vortex by the ceiling fan. The cuban is almost gone, dim orange embers scattering onto white-knuckled fingers with every quiet exhalation. It goes unnoticed.</p>
<p>His other hand presses an obsidian-black aetheric transmitter to his ear. He’s holding his breath. The dozen black-suited men and women watching his every move hold their breath as well. There is a pause.</p>
<p>“Yes sir. Understood.”</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>The Apache screams over the rolling hills, black against the night, dragging a plume of dust and shredded shrubbery in its wake. It buzzes a copse of willow trees, stripping leaves from branches, sending a foraging jackrabbit scurrying for cover down an abandoned gopher hole.</p>
<p>There is a moment of silence. The jackrabbit pokes cautiously out of the earth.</p>
<p>Eight additional rotors sound in the Apache’s wake.</p>
<p>The rabbit scampers deeper into the burrow.</p>
<hr/>
<p>“eagle one reporting convoy sighted square november fife four dash two clicks southbound on the I-5 tally twenty two request clearance to engage”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="omalley">
<p>Connor O’Malley, Director of PENTAGRAM, lets a broad, shallow smile crawl across his face and exhales a cloud of fragrant smoke.</p>
</div>
<p>“Strike.”</p>
<hr/>
<p>There is a microsecond bite of shrieking terror burrowing at the underside of her subconscious. O5-7 snaps bleary eyes open, pulse suddenly racing.</p>
<p><span style="color: #b200ed">She is about to die. She is about to die. She is about to die.</span></p>
<p>The magic in her blood is screaming at her.</p>
<p>Without thinking, without pause, Seven shouts a word in a language unspoken for nine thousand years.</p>
<p>Half a second later the AGM-114L Hellfire slams into her humvee and everything becomes flame and noise and ruin.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="omalley">
<p>The eagle screams into the stratosphere, then higher still, engines burning blue. Vapor coruscates off the airframe in white contrails that unfold into pleated petals of mist as the air splits once, twice and still the engines roar. Steady hands grip the joystick as the cockpit quakes and outside the vista turns from sunny sky-blue to indigo black. Higher, yet higher, until the horizon line falls away and below spins blue marble. Breathe in, five-hundred pounds on your chest, breathe out, hissing and spitting, blood pounding in your ears.</p>
<p>Release.</p>
<p>From the eagle’s belly a line of shining silver flings itself into the black.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<h2 id="toc4"><span><span style="color: red">5. COCKED PISTOL</span></span></h2>
<hr/>
<div class="dictation">
<p>This is an automatically generated entry documenting breaking events. Situation type: SCRAMBLE. Affected systems: ORBITAL ASSET RELAY. Affected personnel: TECHNICAL, COMMUNICATIONS, DOL, DOS.</p>
<p>This entry was generated on 20██/11/30 15:42 GMT by O5-3 [<span class="wiki-email">pcs.nimda|35O#pcs.nimda|35O</span>]<br/>
Incident #: 20██011300███<br/>
Severity: High-Critical<br/>
Possibility of Foundation Casualties: High-Critical<br/>
Risk of Public Dissemination: Moderate<br/>
Incident Status: In-Progress<br/>
Affected Sites: Output Error: List object exceeds 10,000 characters.<br/>
Live Relay Integrity: 0.0% (0/███ CAVSAT assets responsive)</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>“What the fuck is happening, Three?”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>UNKNOWN MASSIVE NETWORK DISRUPTION ATTEMPTING REROUTE DIFFICULT 99.4% OPERATIONAL CAPACITY INSUFFICIENT ASSUME EQUIVALENT AGENT LEVEL COUNTERFORCE</p>
</div>
<p>Golden fingers clatter desperately across three separate keyboards as klaxons echo throughout the empty halls of Site-01. O5-6 cycles through seven languages worth of profanity as he navigates through screen after screen of dead air and error messages.</p>
<p>“Can you turn those sirens off? I’m the only person in the Site!”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>ACKNOWLEDGED</p>
</div>
<p>The sirens snap off mid-squawk.</p>
<p>Six rubs at the bridge of his nose, trying to head off the migraine he feels building deep in his temple.</p>
<p>“There are five general intelligences operating within an order of magnitude of your capacity that we know of. Can you rule out any of them? Incidentally or otherwise.”</p>
<p>There is a momentary pause.</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>NO ATTEMPTED INTRUSION INTO DATABASE NO DISRUPTION TO CORE PERSONALITY MATRIX NO KNOWN AIC BREACHES</p>
</div>
<p>“That rules out the Nornir, and both of the Maxwellianists.”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>MINIMAL VEIL DISRUPTION OBSERVED THUS FAR</p>
</div>
<p>“Not the Engine then, that <em>abomination</em> wouldn't give a damn about keeping the Veil, were it capable of acting on this scale. That leaves-”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>MAGISTER SEVEN THAUMOCOGNITION SYSTEM</p>
</div>
<p>“-the Americans.”</p>
<p>Six leans back in his chair, heart racing.</p>
<p>“This doesn’t make any sense. This doesn’t make any sense at all. We <em>contained</em> 616-3. We sealed the hellgate. <em>We did our goddamned jobs</em>. Nothing incentivizes them to act- not now- unless-”</p>
<p>Six sits up, breathing hard.</p>
<p>“Seven’s ritual. Damn them. Damn her. Fucking witch, fucking hellspawn, <em>they think we used a nuclear bomb</em>, Three.”</p>
<p>Six stands, pacing the room.</p>
<p>“No, no, even then, <em>even then</em>, that changes nothing. The Deterrence Doctrine was built to allow for the eventuality of a nuclear contingency being used- there’s still nothing justifying annulment, not on this scale-”</p>
<p>O5-6 stops mid-stride.</p>
<p>There is a figure standing in the doorway to the command room, which is impossible, as O5-6 is the only living thing within ███ kilometers of Site-01. Sunken gray eyes set in pallid flesh braided with cords of sanctic copper stare down at Six.</p>
<p>There is a slow sensation of simultaneous unravelling and rearrangement, puzzle pieces falling into place like a twisting knife.</p>
<p>The factotum’s jaw unhinges with a wet tear, revealing the recessed speaker embedded in its throat.</p>
<p>Six makes a decision that saves his life.</p>
<p>Stuffing golden fingers into his ears, he grits his teeth and pushes. His eardrums pop, warm blood trickling down the side of his head, just in time to defend against the truly virulent stream of verbal cognitohazards erupting from the corpse-puppet as it lunges at him, pale hands outstretched.</p>
<p>The impact knocks him to the floor, air rushing from his lungs as the thing wraps icy, implacable fingers around his neck and squeezes. The dead eyes staring back into his own glint with malign consciousness. The factotum doesn’t smile, not with its jaw dangling loosely by copper wire, but there’s an impression of one nonetheless.</p>
<p>He claws uselessly at dead flesh, golden fingers scraping bloodless rivulets into its cheeks. Blackness creeps into the edges of his vision, his grip slackening. Six feels his pulse thumping in his temple, a pounding echo in his skull.</p>
<p>Gasping, choking on a mouthful of blood, Six spits in the thing’s face.</p>
<p>Sulfur, sharp and pungent wafts through the air, mixing the scent of iron. Where his blood splatters against the factotum’s skin, great black strips of flesh crumble, rotting off of the copper scaffolding, spreading inwards. There is a spray of sparks as the disintegration hits something critical. The thing’s grip slackens.</p>
<p>Six slides the inert factotum off of him, scrabbling on hands and knees towards the central console. Blood fills his mouth, vision gone spotty with distortion. He knows better than to try to breathe. Golden fingers pry open a metal panel from the bottom of the console, revealing a thin metal syringe.</p>
<p>With the last of his strength, Six injects 20ccs of synthetic Paramecium directly into the side of his neck.</p>
<p>He feels his eardrums reconstitute, then screams in agony as his shattered throat pushes itself back into position.</p>
<p>In a voice made raw by reknitting vocal cords, Six gasps into the air.</p>
<p>“Counterintelligence. Sold us out.”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>CONCURRENCE</p>
</div>
<p>“PENTAGRAM knows the deterrence outline.”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>CONCURRENCE</p>
</div>
<p>“<em>Goddamnit they might actually win</em>.”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>CONCURRENCE</p>
</div>
<p>Pulling himself to his feet, Six brushes himself off, wiping at the blackened viscera staining the lapel of his suit. Golden fingers run through thinning hair.</p>
<p>“The Foundation is at war.”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>CONCURRENCE</p>
<p>|>INITIALIZE DETERRENCE DOCTRINE?</p>
</div>
<p>O5-6 takes his seat in front of the central console. He breathes in deep, and out, flipping up the safety cap of the Armageddon Button.</p>
<p>“Do it.”</p>
<p>There’s a moment of hesitation, golden fingers clenching, digging grooves into the leather armrests of his chair.</p>
<p>“Where the hell is One?”</p>
<hr/>
<h2 id="toc5"><span><span style="color: red">6. CRESCENDO</span></span></h2>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>CDRUSS STRATCOM CONPLAN 9633 SUMMARY “OPERATION BLOCKBUSTER”</p>
<p>PURPOSE- To eradicate the operational capacity of the SCP Foundation within the contiguous and territorial borders of the United States of America. To safeguard American citizenry from Foundation reprisal and additional sub-veil threat organizations. To preserve American paranatural dominance in the face of extraordinary threat to national sovereignty and liberty.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>It’s morning in America.</p>
<p>Mason Gutierrez watches his breath frost onto the inner pane of the guard booth and sighs miserably, rubbing his hands together. It’s always cold in Site-19, doubly so in the surface wards. Drinks would ice over if you left them out overnight, cans of coke would burst, and the water came out of the faucets cold enough to burn when it flowed at all. He’d wear gloves, he ought to wear gloves, half the infirmary was full from frostbite this time of year, but the damned things made keyboards impossible to use.</p>
<p>He picks up his mug of steaming coffee, wrapping his fingers around it gratefully before taking a small, measured sip. He has to make it last. A refill would mean making the ten minute trek back across the outer perimeter into the barracks, through the driving wind that cut through layers like a knife, that blew gritty snow into your eyes and up your nose, through the cold that left your lips bleeding and chapped.</p>
<p>There is a flashing red light on the display. Mason sets the cup down, peering cautiously at his monitor. Something is at the vehicle gate.</p>
<p>Tourists, probably. There were always tourists here, coming up and down the highways across the tundra and they always, always managed to get lost. He accesses the gate camera, wincing as newly warmed fingers clatter against icy keys. Gray screen.</p>
<p>The bastards on second shift forgot to defrost the lenses, again.</p>
<p>Shouldering his rifle, Mason presses the yellow caution, just in case, bracing himself before opening the door to the guard booth.</p>
<p>“Hey! You folks gotta get outta here! Government prop-!”</p>
<p>His voice is cut by the sound of steel crumpling like tinsel.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>Phase 1- Control</p>
<p>STRATCOM assets will mobilize in force nationwide to take control of major Foundation sites. Priority is given to the elimination of Foundation response infrastructure, Mobile Task Force deployment capability, and paraweaponry development.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Seventy tons of main battle tank rams through the chain-link fence of Site-19’s outer perimeter like the fist of God.</p>
<p>Mason scrambles back into the guard booth, frozen fingers slamming onto the panic button as he cowers beneath his desk.</p>
<p>“Fuck me.”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>Due to varied threat terrain, cooperation between service branches is vital.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Doctor Maria Korrigan stares out of the porthole, mouth agape. Silicon wafers slip from her fingers, clattering softly against the floor.</p>
<p>“James, when’s the next shift change due?”</p>
<p>“Not for another… two months? Why do you ask?”</p>
<p>Maria points a shaking finger at the ceaseless gray plain of the Mare Imbrium.</p>
<p>“Then who the fuck are they?”</p>
<p>James peers through the tempered glass, then takes a startled step back, face gone pale.</p>
<p>“Holy hell, are those <em>guns</em>?”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>Phase 2- Capture</p>
<p>An index of relevant High Value Targets is to be collated and produced by joint initiative of PENTAGRAM and the Directorate of National Intelligence. Veil-safe variations are to be distributed to relevant law enforcement personnel.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Director Tilda Moose hurls another fireball down the breach, simultaneously bursting a pressurized overhead coolant pipe with a flick of her wrist. The hallway fills with flame, automatic gunfire replaced by shouts of alarm. Cautiously, she levitates a shard of polarized glass around the doorway, wincing as suppressive fire resumes, shattering the makeshift mirror.</p>
<p>Something small and metal skitters through the doorway, bouncing at her feet. Snapping her fingers, she sends it skittering the other way before ducking behind the wall and plugging her ears. There’s an earsplitting bang.</p>
<p>“That one wasn’t a flashbang. I think they’re about done trying to take us alive.”</p>
<p>She reaches for a pouch on the bandolier strapped across her chest, producing a fistful of bees.</p>
<p><span style="color: green">“Fly, my pretties!”</span></p>
<p>Behind her, the remnants of Sigma-3 cower behind a bookshelf, furiously incanting. The chalk doorway scrawled onto the wall in front of them remains frustratingly opaque.</p>
<p>“What’s taking so long?”</p>
<p>There’s a brief scuffle among the circle of researchers before one of them, a dark-haired man bleeding from a scrape across the bridge of his nose, stands, clearing his throat.</p>
<p>“Ma’am, our library cards aren’t working.”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>Priority assets are to be acquired unharmed if possible, however, in some circumstances this may prove untenable.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<div class="president">
<p>|>Alexandria.aic: Hello? Who is this? What is going on?</p>
<p>|>UNKNOWN/ADMIN: Kill yourself.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>The Joint Chiefs will recommend temporary suspension of Executive Order 12333 for the duration of the operation.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Site Director Leonard Hauz swears at the flashing red-and-blue lights in his rearview mirror. He pulls over to the side of the road, already reaching for his wallet. Deft fingers slide a white priming card into the ID display before he forces an unassuming smile onto his face, rolling down the driver’s side window.</p>
<p>“What seems to be-”</p>
<p>Two gunshots.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>The Securities and Exchange Commission will halt all transactions pursuant to the following tickers for a period of ten trading days: $SCCP, $PCS, $SNCP, $SCPZ, $SPPC, $SPC.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>“You people have nothing on me. <em>Nothing</em>.”</p>
<p>“Mr. Fitzgerald, please understand-”</p>
<p>“Seventeen years of legitimate business, by the book. By the book! Line by line, word by fucking word, goddamnit Georgie, what the fuck is going on?</p>
<p>The gray man sitting across from him purses colorless lips.</p>
<p>“It’s over, Fritz. This is the big one. Let’s not make this any harder than it has to be.”</p>
<p>Jeremiah Fitzgerald, CEO and majority shareholder of Sentinel Capital Partners LLC, twenty year veteran of MTF-Mu 3, and three hundred and fifty-first richest man in the world, slumps back into his seat, ballpoint pen slipping through trembling fingers to clatter against mahogany flooring.</p>
<p>“God, at least tell me the charges. Least you could do.”</p>
<p>For the first time since he can remember, Jeremiah sees the gray man smile, eyes flat and cold and cruel.</p>
<p>“Wire fraud.”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>Phase 3- Denial</p>
<p>A comprehensive multi-phase occult security cordon is to be established around critical infrastructure.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Petty Officer Andrew Graham lets out a croaking gurgle and drops to the ground as the ritual dagger glides across his neck, smooth and silent. Lifeblood flows down the basalt column, into the recesses and grooves of the black room carved by secret order of Ronald Reagan on October 31st, 1986. Around the altar sixteen senators chant the opening paragraph of the Declaration of Independence in High Daevite, interspersed by screaming eagles and a recording of the first bombs falling on Baghdad.</p>
<p>Three hundred feet beneath the Oval Office, a disembodied black heart beats for the first time in forty years.</p>
<p>In the skies of Washington, the strongest geomantic warding scheme ever devised flickers into luminous existence. Sunrise over the capital dawns pale, thin, and red.</p>
<p>Across the country, thirteen year old Samantha Wilkins has a dream about killing the President.</p>
<p>She stops breathing thirty seconds later.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>Embedded covert assets are to be activated in conjunction with continual suppression operations.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>“Are you certain the order is legitimate, Matthews?”</p>
<p>“Scipnet is still down, so there’s no real method of protocol verification but sir-”</p>
<p>The room shakes, dust cascading from the ceiling. The overhead lights flicker maddeningly and there’s a great groan of agonized steel as the ventilation fans slowly spin to a halt.</p>
<p>“Sir, I have to ask, at a certain point, does it even matter? I mean-”</p>
<p>There’s a sound like the sky falling atop their heads, a deep whistle followed by a calamitous detonation that sends the room stumbling to the floor, hands clapped over ears. Monitors topple, crashing down in showers of sparks and broken glass. There is a round of muffled cursing. Klaxons blare, and then the fluorescents cut out, replaced after a beat by the red glow of emergency lighting.</p>
<p>“I’m pretty sure they just dropped a bunker buster on us.”</p>
<p>“Point taken.”</p>
<p>Director Richard Xythinien wipes his nose, blood smearing the back of his hand. He pauses for a moment, considering, before reaching into his breast pocket to produce two silver keys.</p>
<p>“Never thought I’d actually have to go through with this. Even the nuke seemed more likely, looking back. Working for the Foundation thirty years, you get the idea-”</p>
<p>The room shakes again. One of the supports groans ominously, cracks spiderwebbing the concrete. The director stumbles, then catches himself, shaking his head.</p>
<p>“Same procedure as detonating the warhead. You know the drill. Both keys turn within twenty seconds or the system freezes, locks us out.”</p>
<p>He tosses one of the silver keys at Matthews, turning towards the console.</p>
<p>“This is the big one. This releases everything we have, vents, cells, blackwater, <em>everything</em>. You understand, Matthews?”</p>
<p>“Crystal. For the record, sir, it’s been an honor.”</p>
<p>“Like-”</p>
<p>The snub-nosed polyurethane .38 in his hand kicks twice, barrel shattering with the recoil. The director is dead before he hits the floor.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>The rapid acquisition of a complete Foundation database archive is imperative. Priority target locations include known DEEPWELL facilities, Site-17, and Archival Site-07. Resistance presumed heavy.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p><a href="/greenlight">A second sun blooms off the Alaskan coast, bought by the lives of seven good men.</a> Northerly winds carry the fallout south.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>Phase 4- Assertion</p>
<p>The Department of State will release sub-veil communications to all relevant paranatural actors, informing them of the state of war existing between the government of the United States of America and the SCP Foundation.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p><em>A handsome, brown-eyed man wearing a heavy greatcoat sits in front of a</em> <em>shivering, blonde-haired girl. There’s a corpse cooling on the ground</em> <em>behind them in a spreading pool of blood. The girl is trying very, very</em> <em>hard not to look back at the body.</em></p>
<p><em>The man reaches out with gentle fingers and turns her face towards his.</em> <em>His touch leaves streaks of soot on her skin.</em><br/>
<strong>~</strong><br/>
Seven wakes to the dim impression of rushing water.</p>
<p>The cell is small, sparsely furnished. There’s a cot and desk bolted into the concrete floor and a fisheye lens gleaming in the corner of the ceiling. It’s an uncomfortably familiar arrangement.</p>
<p>Seven turns her head, wincing. There’s less pain than she expected: a dim ache in the pit of her stomach coupled to a sense of comprehensive <em>emptiness</em>, and a gnawing hunger grown to proportions beyond simple sensation. Her hands are bound behind her back, and something cool and metal presses loosely around her neck, shifting as she moves her shoulders.</p>
<p>The walls of the cell shine with a steady sheen of running water, cascading from floor to ceiling in laminar sheets that splash into grates lining the perimeter of the room. The air is heavy with geomancy, aether tainted with the runoff of a dozen cascading wards.</p>
<p>There’s a moment of faint irony.</p>
<p>She’s familiar with the theory behind the cell. She wrote most of it herself.</p>
<p>There’s a loud thrum that echoes through the cement floor, and the flow trickles to a stop, leaving the walls glistening with moisture. The door to the cell opens, swinging on heavy hinges.</p>
<p>A woman walks in, flanked by two grim-faced men in plainclothes with assault rifles slung over their shoulders. She holds a briefcase in one hand and a folding chair in the other.</p>
<p>“You must realize who I am.” Her voice comes out as a rasping croak.</p>
<p>“We do.”</p>
<p>The woman sets the folding chair down. One of the guards moves to stand in front of the doorway. The other circles behind Seven, rifle raised.</p>
<p>“Then you realize what utter folly it is to have taken me alive. I am an Overseer of the SCP Foundation. They will come for me. They will find me.”</p>
<p>The woman takes a seat, one eyebrow arched. She looks faintly unimpressed.</p>
<p>“My name is Tabitha Jones. I’m from the State Department. We have a few questions for you.”</p>
<p>Seven opens her mouth to respond. Nothing comes out. She looks down to see a circle of runes set in the floor around her flaring with dull crimson light.</p>
<p>The guard in the doorway produces a camcorder, red light blinking.</p>
<p>“It would be best if you cooperate.”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="textbook">
<p>The State Department will exert all possible diplomatic measures to deter Foundation allies and the paranatural community at large from attempting aid.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Six stares at the still frame, eyes burning with exhaustion. It's her. Haggard and bleeding and filthy, but it's her, unmistakably her. There is a sense of terrible dissolution.</p>
<p>“Who else did they send this to, Three?”</p>
<hr/>
<div class="dictation">
<p>NOTICE FROM GOLDBAKER-REINZ LLC</p>
<p>To the SCP Foundation,</p>
<p>Due to information that has recently come to light regarding the conduct of your organization in Meeker Township, Colorado throughout the week of November 26th, 2009, we have unilaterally elected to temporarily suspend clauses I, II, IV, and MMXVII of your coverage for this fiscal year. Please contact our liaison office at 511 West Avenue, New York, New York if you wish to file any dispute.</p>
<p>Best regards,</p>
<p>Claudia Rain, Vice President of Corporeal Operations</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<div class="al-fine">
<p>“Ma’am, the Nornir are in agreement. The tape is authentic.”</p>
<p>“Should we submit a response?”</p>
<p>“Understood. The Council is being convened as we speak. I’ll make arrangements right away.”</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>The Engineer opens her eyes, smiling. She’s just had the most wonderful dream.</p>
<hr/>
<h2 id="toc6"><span><span style="color: red">7. DOUBLE TAKE</span></span></h2>
<hr/>
<p>“Six. The substitute.” The aether-pict wavers, distortion flaring through the image. “I was expecting One.”</p>
<p>Six grits his teeth. By any reasonable measure the composure of the woman on the other side of the scry would be unthinkable, infuriating arrogance.</p>
<p>D.C Al Fine is many things but she is not arrogant.</p>
<p>Arrogance is for those with something to prove. Arrogance implies compensation. Al Fine does not compensate. Al Fine declares, and the world leaps to obey. This is not a gift- though she has many gifts. It is a fact of her position- the irrefutable gravitational pull of uncontested power.</p>
<p>“My apologies.” The words taste like nightshade. “He is otherwise disposed.”</p>
<p>One was missing, had been since morning. Three had brought him pictures of a smoking crater in the Mojave, paired with rumors of nuclear detonation in the desert.</p>
<p>There were rumors everywhere, a million of them rising from the shadows, suffocating. Site-19, fallen. A hole blown into the surface of the moon. The American flag rising over Three Portlands, Site-64 broken from the inside.</p>
<p>Six closes his eyes and empties them from his mind. He forces himself to look at the truth, and only the truth, then clarifies further. There is a particular, mutual truth to this conversation.</p>
<p>He meets Al Fine’s gaze through the wavering aether.</p>
<p>The truth is thus. They are not equals.</p>
<p>He knows this. She knows this.</p>
<p>Swallowing his pride, O5-6 begins to beg.</p>
<hr/>
<div class="schemer">
<p>Flame dances in the refraction of the fused, glassy dunes that line the sides of the crater, highlighting the smoke that rises invisibly into the night. Even now red sand slowly slithers into the breach, the sides of the pit hissing with the soft skittering of scarlet dunes sinking into the earth.</p>
<p>O5-1 watches his bunker burn from the edge of the pit and breathes in, deeply.</p>
<p>“ אֱלֹהִים, two thousand years hence, charnel yet smells the same.”</p>
<p>He turns away from the smoldering waste, looking up towards the endless Mojave night.</p>
<p>The stars above gleam high and cold, uncaring.</p>
<p>He reaches, and plucks one from out of the sky.</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>“Enough. Your Sites are aflame from coast to coast, your armories are plundered, your armies broken and scattered. No more bartering.”</p>
<p>For the first time, there is a note of annoyance in the cast of her face. “No more bartering. No more hypotheticals. Convince me. What do you have to offer to my Coalition, as you are now?”</p>
<p>Six stands, golden fingers clenched into shining fists at his side. The mask of calm falls from his face.</p>
<p>"You would rather have PENTAGRAM in our place for the next hundred years? <em>PENTAGRAM</em>?"</p>
<p>Al Fine scoffs.</p>
<p>"PENTAGRAM is beholden to an empire. You <em>are</em> an empire, and beholden to nothing but yourself. What's the measure of the Foundation's GDP? How much does it export? Import? How many trade guarantees is it a part of? Is it a signatory to the Geneva Conventions?"</p>
<p>"Are you?"</p>
<p>"The Council of 108 meets directly underneath the Hague, Overseer. We don't have to be."</p>
<p>There is a moment of silence.</p>
<p>“We won’t go quietly. You can count on that. We haven’t emptied our vaults, not now, haven’t even come close. You, of all people, understand what I mean when I say <em>the Foundation will not go quietly</em>.”</p>
<p>A smile spreads across her face.</p>
<p>“To me, Μίδας, that sounds like <em>acquiescence</em>.”</p>
<p>O5-6 watches the aether-cast fade away. Golden hands reach for a fluted crystal chalice, crushing it to powder.</p>
<p>“Three.”</p>
<div class="president">
<p>|>PRESENT</p>
</div>
<p>“One is dead. Seven is a traitor to the Foundation.”</p>
<p>He watches the amber spilling from his hand, drop by drop.</p>
<p>“Summon the council.”</p>
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">END</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">2/5</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<div class="schemer">
<p>"Just as planned."</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr/>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/strikefall">STRIKEFALL</a> ||FALLOUT|| <a class="newpage" href="/outcast">OUTCAST</a> »</strong></p>
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="licensebox">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<p>Cite this page as:</p>
<div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item">
<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/fallout">FALLOUT</a>" by Intercedent, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/fallout">https://scpwiki.com/fallout</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> meeker_demon2.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Intercedent<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> [<a href="https://imgur.com/a/H49PpzR">https://imgur.com/a/H49PpzR</a>]</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> meeker_hellgate2.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Intercedent<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> [<a href="https://imgur.com/a/tP2UDQ2">https://imgur.com/a/tP2UDQ2</a>]</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> PENTOSTAMP.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Anorrack<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> [<a href="https://imgur.com/a/budl6AE">https://imgur.com/a/budl6AE</a>]</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> fallout_head.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Intercedent<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> [<a href="https://imgur.com/a/4WHDYNx">https://imgur.com/a/4WHDYNx</a>]</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> first_strike.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Paul E. Reynolds<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> [<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon#/media/File:ASAT_missile_launch.jpg">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon#/media/File:ASAT_missile_launch.jpg</a>]</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="footnotes-footer">
<div class="title">Footnotes</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. Treaty governing mutual aid and non-aggression between the SCP Foundation and the US Government in North America.</div>
</div>
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text= “Mister President, fifteen minutes ago, the Foundation detonated a nuclear device on American soil.”
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[[=image fallout_head.png size="small"]]
++ ##red |1. SOMETHING WICKED##
------
**11/26/2009**
[[[scp-616|The red door has opened.]]]
Inwards flows the smoke, the rot, the charnel current of unreality. Seven, the chosen, the holy, stand in opposition, in mythic struggle. They chant sacraments from spittle-flecked lips and the dead chant with them. Twenty-thousand feet in the air they stand, braced against the gates of Hell.
###3394dc |“Our father, who art in heaven”##
##red|Arak-nesha, ara-tho, tamarin-tesh, rakem##
###3394dc |“Preserve us against-”##
##red|Tamarin-tesh, blavin rath, arak-nesha, arak-nesha-##
Sweat dribbles down creased, white-haired brows into starched collars now all askew.
###3394dc |“Lead us not into temptation”##
##red|el khasham kamzu##
###3394dc |“Unto all evil-”##
Hell scrabbles and screams and bites but faith suffuses them, burns them, turns mortal muscle to steel, mortal voices to holy fire.
##red|nathzar raz shamkash seth-##
###3394dc |“-commend thee”##
##red|-avarika-avarika-avarika-avarika-##
###3394dc |“-who ART in heaven’##
The door is holding- holding-
“Fox-2.”
The AIM-9M bursts into a cloud of hypersonic tungsten off the cabin’s starboard side. Holy struggle resolves into red mist. Theology becomes physics.
SCP-616 splinters into flaming hail over the skies of Colorado, and Hell follows with it.
------
[[div class="dictation"]]
FOUNDATION WEBCRAWLER OSV4.4499FF INTERCEPT OF PHOTO TAKEN IN MEEKER TOWNSHIP, COLORADO 2033GMT11272009
[[/div]]
[[=image meeker_demon2.png width="60%";]]
------
Two men in black, a woman in white, and seven gray monitors stare at each other over a glass table. The mood is grim.
“Shoki failed.”
The one who speaks first has hands of gold. As he talks, his fingers quietly scrape against each other- //skntch skntch skntch//- and gleaming slivers fall, tinkling against the table.
“Cause?”
One of the monitors responds, SCUFFLE filter rendering its voice dull, anonymous, and utterly banal.
“This is a deviation. Someone //interfered//.”
The scraping stops.
“Damnation. Are we looking at an XK?”
The woman, thin blonde hair pulled back into a tight knot, clears her throat.
“Thankfully, no, not yet. Forensics says we got lucky. Population density along the crash zone was just below minimum viability. Initial casualty projections-”
“Sorry to keep you all waiting.”
Faces turn. A man is in the doorway. There’s soot on his clothes, and his footsteps leave the floor blackened. Not burnt- a careful distinction, that.
“One. Good to see you.”
The man takes his seat, brushing ash off of the shoulders of his overcoat, and the others orient towards him, turning in place. It is a round table, this quorum of the Overseers, but it has a head nonetheless.
“We are, at this moment, theoretically in violation of the Montreal Protocol[[footnote]]Treaty governing mutual aid and non-aggression between the SCP Foundation and the US Government in North America.[[/footnote]].”
The woman in white lets her glasses drop from shaking fingers. “PENTAGRAM has made overtures, then?”
One shakes his head.
“Not yet. Notice I said //theoretically//. Although a failure to maintain Shoki is grounds for the nullification of the protections afforded to us under Montreal, that provision assumes that said failure would’ve either resulted in an XK, or in the detonation of nuclear devices over major American population centers. To my knowledge, neither of those events have taken place.”
O5-6 frowns, golden fingers clenching rigidly.
“That’s a thin fucking line to rely on, One. Borders on //technicality//.”
“I disagree. As I understand it, the situation at the crash site is… uncertain, but practically amenable. Seven?”
Heads turn. The woman in white rubs at her temples, hair coming undone.
“Potentially- potentially yes. At this point, the hellgate should be self-sustaining, diminished but self-sustaining. There couldn’t have been enough souls close enough to the crash site to have immediately allowed for first or second-order traversal.”
“You’re certain?”
She almost smiles.
“Well, last I checked, the sky isn’t bleeding, so yes. Reasonably certain. At this point it’s still possible for the aperture to be sealed, but it’d take, god- it’d take every mage we have in North America. Me included. The logistical considerations alone-”
Gold fingers tap against glass, rhythm inscrutable.
“-and we’d have to be guarded throughout the process. There’s no telling how many lower-grade entities are coming through as we speak, and-”
“I’d be willing to authorize usage of the Helian Door.”
Murmurs rise from the monitors, overlapping atonal voices blending into staticky incomprehension. Seven stops mid-sentence, brushing strands of blonde hair out of her eyes.
“Thank you, Six.”
One steeples his fingers.
“Returning to the subject at hand, it seems to me that we are facing, at the moment, a containment breach. One of significant proportions, yes, but a simple containment breach nonetheless. Part of the status quo- a status quo //protected// under the Montreal Protocols. I believe that if we act quickly and decisively to resolve this crisis, PENTAGRAM will not pursue annulment.”
//“You cannot be certain.”//
Impossibly, the interjection cuts through SCUFFLE as a vitriolic hiss. Seven winces, clutching at her head, turning to stare daggers at the offending monitor.
“You would trust PENTAGRAM to act in good faith?”
“I would trust PENTAGRAM to act //in its own self-interest//.”
Six laughs, golden fingers running through thinning hair.
“You and I both know that’s almost as bad, One.”
“I see no alternative. Would you have us resort to Ganymede while a hellgate escalates in plain daylight? Turtle up to weather against hypothetical retaliation when a very real threat to our mandate is right there to be dealt with?”
Six scowls. “I do not like the shape of this. A pitfall at every turn. It stinks of //interference//.”
[[div class="president"]]
|>UNCLEAR PROBABILITIES DIVERGENT UNCLEAR
[[/div]]
The voice echoes from the walls, resonant. An eighth monitor rises soundlessly from the floor, black and featureless, a column of basalt. It serves no real purpose other than conversational courtesy. The thing it represents no longer has use for such frivolities as //perspective//. One turns to address it nonetheless, dipping his head politely.
“Three. Glad you could make it.”
[[div class="president"]]
|>TWENTY-THREE PERCENT OPERATIONAL CAPACITY PRESENT AND RECORDING
[[/div]]
The last man in the room twitches. Copper-corded limbs convulse and dead eyes shift subtly in a chalk-white face, pulled too taut over the skull.
“It is the opinion of the Counterintelligence Directorate that there has been no significant compromise of deterrence systems concurrent to the present incident.”
The factotum’s voice is baritonal, deep and gravelly. Seven shifts in her seat uncomfortably.
[[div class="president"]]
|>AGREEMENT SIXTY SEVEN PERCENT CONCURRENCE
[[/div]]
“Thank you, gentlemen. That simplifies matters.”
One leans forward in his seat.
“I clarify my proposal. The creation of a temporary Amalgamated Task Force with the sole directive of containing the hellgate-”
[[div class="president"]]
|>PROVISIONAL SIX ONE SIX DASH THREE
[[/div]]
“-yes, thank you, to be directly overseen by Seven. The commendation of all necessary non-garrisoned personnel and logistical assets for this purpose, until such time as containment has been established. Extraordinary Mobilization.”
“You are calling for the expenditure of our entire North American rapid response capability on a single anomaly.” Six scoffs, incredulous.
“I am.”
“You of all people should understand how //singularly vulnerable// of a position that’d put us in.”
One stands, beginning to pace the room. The monitors turn to follow his movements.
“I would remind this chamber that the Foundation’s continued existence has always been dependent on remaining, in the eyes of the world, slightly more palatable than the alternative. Part of that is due to our deterrence doctrine, yes, but, I’d like to think a larger part is due to the work that we do, the sacrifices that every person here has made and continues to make towards the cause. We are presented with an opportunity, gentlemen, to once again demonstrate our value- to persevere against the darkness that none other dare to touch.”
He’s emphatic now, gesticulating, in his element.
A monitor chimes in, corroborating.
“It does seem particularly unlikely that PENTAGRAM would arrange for the creation of an active hellgate on American soil solely to fabricate casus belli to act against us. And even so, why //now//?”
“My point exactly.”
Six turns towards One. Blue eyes meet brown, challenging.
“Shall we put it to a vote?”
------
[[div class="dictation"]]
MOTION FOR EXTRAORDINARY MOBILIZATION
##green| PASS##
##green| 7##-##red|4## (1 ABST)
[[/div]]
------
[[div class="dictation"]]
FOUNDATION ORBITAL ASSET NCAVSAT3993 IMAGE OF PROVISIONAL SCP-616-3 TAKEN IN MEEKER TOWNSHIP, COLORADO 1433GMT11282009
[[/div]]
[[=image meeker_hellgate2.png width="60%";]]
------
**11/28/2009**
Meeker Township, Colorado
Population: 1,866
The Foundation’s best fall on Meeker with the luminous gaze of apportated advance teams stalking haunted streets in lethal silence. Grid-squares are secured block by block, chthonic wails silenced by suppressed weaponry and muttered incantations.
The noose tightens.
On a whispered signal, the Helian Door hisses open in a plume of superheated gas. Walls of plasma bloom on the outskirts of Meeker, golden gates bright as the inside of the sun disgorging soldiers, vehicles, prefab watchtowers and concertainer.
Cast in the blood-light of the hellgate’s shadow, they look almost like heroes.
Above them the sky bleeds and below them the earth distends with horror but they are the Foundation at war. Demons howl and hellfire rains from the scarlet sky in hissing droplets but they are the Foundation at war, and so their fire is steady and their maneuver is swift.
Walls erupt from the blood-mist, knife edged, topped with concertina wire and spotlights. Hard-helmeted men with blue coveralls and determined expressions drive iron stakes into the flagellated earth as black-kevlar regiments hold the line with tactical sacrament and blessed gunfire mere feet away. There is none of the mechanized brutality of a Coalition fire mission, the esotericism of a Psychotronics intervention, the heedless overkill that is PENTAGRAM’s penchant.
The perimeter forms, the perimeter holds, and the perimeter expands.
This is the Foundation at war.
------
++ ##red |2. UNDER THE GUN##
------
O5-7 ducks out of the helicopter, brushing thin blonde hair out of her eyes as the dry wind snags at her ponytail. The air stinks, petrochemical reek and gunpowder fumes mixing into an eye-watering miasma that has her retching, coughing into her fist, almost doubling over. Footsteps hurry towards her across the tamped dirt, and a black-gloved hand presses a respirator into her fingers.
She accepts it gratefully, clipping the mask on over her nose.
“Sorry about the, ah, atmospheric situation, ma’am. The techies say the skip’s mucking with the airflow. Something about environmental resonance.”
The trooper shuffles apologetically, gas-masked gaze scrupulously avoiding her face. There’s a distinct unease to his stance, and his arm hovers awkwardly at his side, as if unsure whether or not to offer her a hand.
She gives him a reassuring smile, following him down the makeshift staging ground towards the first of the barricades. Periodically, chattering gunfire cuts through the scarlet smog, followed by echoing, resonant shrieks that linger uncomfortably in the black between her eyes. She grits her teeth, shaking her head irritably.
The command tent is a buzzing hive of fluttering white coats and blue coveralls punctuated by the shrill screams of power tools and the bassy thrum of thaumoelectric generators. Two guards flank the entrance flap, snapping to attention as she approaches. She takes a moment to shrug off her heavy greatcoat, nodding gratefully as the trooper considerately moves to receive the mass of warded fabric. Stretching her shoulders, she reaches for nonspace with a twist of will, pulling against the air. Laminated white polyester slides into her hand from the gap between atoms.
Slipping on her labcoat, O5-7 steps into the command post.
“OVERSEER ON DECK!”
The shout ripples through the room. A hundred pairs of feet stand at attention, a ring of stoic faces following her every move, encircling her like sunflowers facing the sun. Bile rises in her throat, but Seven bites it back down. She gives them what she hopes is a winning smile.
“Could I have a word with Commander Jefferson? Everyone else, back to your stations.”
The room mutedly resumes movement, voices hushed, a hundred pairs of ears straining to grasp at the edict of a demigod, the command of an Overseer. Even the power tools sound sullen, whirring anxiously.
“That would be me, ma’am.” A voice calls from the back of the room, deep and baritonal.
Seven turns to take his measure. Dark brown eyes set in an alert, clean-shaven face, marred by an impressive scar distorting the corner of his mouth into an exaggerated, downturned scowl. Nondescript Foundation BDUs, ironed crisp, polished boots and a holstered pistol at his hip. She knows the type. She's seen a thousand of him in her tenure, across a dozen different sites and half a hundred task forces.
Sometimes, she wondered if the Foundation really was cloning people.
One had never quite given her a straight answer when she’d asked.
“How is the situation on the ground?”
Jefferson’s face sours.
“To be frank? Not great.”
There’s a sustained burst of gunfire, followed by a succession of concussive blasts that rattle the tent, as if to punctuate his point. More ephemeral screaming. Seven tries to keep the wince off of her face.
“We’ve secured the perimeter, constructed defenses, gotten basic operational infrastructure up and running. The boys from Nu-7 are working on bringing the nuclear contingency online.”
He hesitates, shoulders slumping slightly.
“We’re beginning to encounter insurmountable logistical issues. They’re coming from the gate at a rate that’s eventually going to outpace our ammunition supply. I’ve had the suppression teams working in shifts since day one, but everyone’s on edge. It feels like we’re going to be overrun.”
Jefferson meets her gaze fully for the first time.
“To be honest, ma’am, I think the men are expecting you to pull a rabbit out of a hat.”
After a beat, he blanches, quickly looking down. “N-no offense.” Seven notices sudden perspiration gleaming on his forehead and sighs internally.
“None taken.”
The entrance flap rustles. A balding, potbellied man in a disheveled black rubber apron bursts through, scanning the tent apprehensively. Jefferson waves him over.
“That’d be Doctor Jameson from Beta-77. To my understanding, he and his team have been waiting for you.”
“Thank you, Commander. That’ll be all.”
He salutes her again, snapping his heels together.
Seven turns to go, then hesitates. Facing the room, she raises her voice, trying her best to sound authoritative, calm, to project control the way One does so effortlessly.
“I’ve been told that some of you here have been expecting a miracle. The good news is, that is my department. Carry on.”
Her voice sounds wavering, even to her, but the room gives an appreciative cheer nonetheless. Swallowing nausea, Seven follows the doctor out of the tent.
There is work to be done.
------
A demon’s severed head drips orange ichor onto the blue tarping of the lab bench. It’s vaguely selachian, mottled gray skin streaked with phosphorescent blue stripes. Two jagged arcs of obsidian curve from its forehead like antlers, glistening wetly. As Seven watches, serpentine pupils dilate in lidless sockets, swiveling up to look at her. The thing’s mouth twitches.
Seven slides another silver needle into its skull.
Jameson stands next to her, bearded face furrowed. Sweat pours off of his bald scalp and runs down his face in perspicuous droplets. Occasionally, he mops at his face with a yellow handkerchief, though it barely seems to help. Seven doesn’t mind. At least he hasn’t tried to salute her yet.
“We’re uh, pretty sure that the instances coming through the gate are, for all intents and purposes, fully substantiated. If you would let go of the probe, ma’am?”
Seven nods, stepping back from the desk. Jameson taps rapidly on the keyboard cradled to his chest, then hits enter.
The lights of the mobile laboratory flicker, the background hum of ventilation fans sputtering to a halt. The demon’s head twitches, eyes rolling back as each of the seven silver spikes buried in its skull flare a brilliant, blinding blue. There is a smell like rotting eggs and abscesses. Seven turns away, sleeve pulled over her mouth.
“If that thing had been a normal manifestation, it would've been disintegrated by the disvocation matrix we just pumped into it.”
The head is still there, faintly steaming, clotted orange ichor leaking slowly from each eye. It no longer twitches. Jameson’s mouth curls with distaste, and he moves to dislodge the silver spikes, sliding each out of the demon’s flesh with a wet squelch.
Seven nods, comprehending.
“Instead of being matter from our reality held together by will from the outside, the demon has crossed over fully, body and bowel. The hellgate isn’t just manifesting them. It’s translating them into our dimension.”
Jameson slides the head into a biowaste crate and sighs, sealing the lid.
“Precisely, ma'am. I'm sure you see where the problem is.”
“We can’t just seal off the breach. They’d just force their way through, regardless of the warding schema. We actually have to close it altogether.”
Seven peels off ichor-slick gloves, rubbing her hands together, beginning to pace the room.
“I want this laboratory to myself for the next twelve hours. Access to every scrap of data you’ve collected about the hellgate, about Meeker, local geological and thaumaturgic readings. A thaumoelectric generator. As much coffee as can reasonably be had. And a whiteboard.”
Jameson looks up from wiping down the bench, face pale. Seven realizes a slow grin has spread across her face. She lets it sit there until Jameson looks away.
“Yes ma’am, uh, O5-7 ma’am, of-of course. Right away.”
“One more thing, Jameson.”
“Yes?”
“Bring me more of their ###B200ED| heads##.”
------
##red| The little things are running.##
Asveth Korgaul, twenty-eighth to taste the true blood of the Tree, nineteenth of the Mighty, ##red| he-who-is-favored-in-murder## lifts a head the size of minor moons and sniffs at the bloodsoaked air of Upper Megiddo. A hemisphere's worth of sanguine, sulfuric atmosphere draws into cavernous nostrils, deep and dark as holes in space.
##red| The little things are running.##
The plain beneath him crawls with infernal activity. Lines of the ##red| lesser## squirm like maggots in writhing columns, trailing into a blazing horizon eternities away. Asveth Korgaul stretches his many, many arms. Obsidian mountains turn to slag and blow away. His movement sets the ##red| little things## to flight, all scurrying away, //**##red| all fleeing in the same direction.##**//
This observation is sufficiently interesting.
Claws like the death of the sun dig kilometers deep into the ashen turf as he makes his stately way across the black plain of infinity. Trillions of the ##red| lesser## lie dead and dying in his wake, a blooming sea of ichor dotted with pale islands of tartarean ash. He pays them no heed.
The horizon speaks to him of war.
------
++ ##red |3. TRAUMA RESPONSE##
------
O5-6 watches the latest numbers scrolling across his screen and decides to take another shot. Liquid fire, silky smooth, trickles achingly down his throat. Golden fingers fiddle with the plastic safety cap of the Armageddon Button, flicking it up, then down, up, then down.
It’s not actually a button, of course, more of a switch, really, and truth be told not particularly apocalyptic compared to some of the other ones at his immediate disposal. He sits nestled at the center of Site-01, enshrined in the shining, sterile, utterly secure heart of the Foundation. He is the only living, breathing thing within ███ kilometers. He is, practically speaking, the loneliest man alive.
Seven left by apportation thirty minutes after the meeting ended. One had kept him company for a little while longer, gossiping of this and that matter of state, before cheerfully stepping into the fireplace and turning to ash. Off to his bunker in the Mojave no doubt, off to beat gods at dice and host devils for dinner and delegate everything actually important to everyone else.
Wiping at his mouth, Six reaches for the nearest keyboard.
[[div class ="elaimal"]]
INITIALIZING O5COM_v14.3 SECURE TELECOM INTERFACE
INSTANCE 3455 LOGGED
WELCOME, O5-6
O5-6: Just received hourlies from Meeker. Not good.
O5-1: I saw.
O5-6: PENTAGRAM’s going to notice soon, if they haven’t already. Only a matter of time until something big comes through.
O5-1: Seven has it under control.
O5-6: She’s been on-site for eighteen hours already. Hasn’t responded to pings. Contacted local command, says she hasn’t been out of the lab since she arrived. She’s fumbling, One.
O5-1: Trust me, she’ll pull through.
O5-6: And if she doesn’t? Only option we have left is Ganymede. No way in hell PENTAGRAM doesn’t respond after that. Don’t like how they’re keeping so quiet in the meantime anyhow. Unusual.
O5-1: PENTAGRAM is handled, for now. You have my word. We’ll worry about Ganymede when and if it comes to that.
O5-6: We don’t have a lot of time left. Hours, at most. I ask again, are you certain?
O5-1: Seven will pull through. She’s one of mine.
O5-6: Understood.
O5-1 DISCONNECTED
INSTANCE 3455 TERMINATED
[[/div]]
Six fills another glass with amber flame and drains it dry.
The numbers on the monitor tick steadily higher.
------
Sgt. Calvin Freedman is having a smoke break when the Morris counter starts beeping. And doesn’t stop.
“Shit. Mount up!”
He clambers into the open hatch of the Bradley. Old springs, long gone stiff, dig sharply into his back. He winces.
The damned things were relics, dredged up from the dying days of the Cold War. Their arthritic engines had practically given the pit crew a nervous conniption upon inspection, and traversing the turret for any length of time filled the basket with the agonized screeching of neglected servos. There was a reason Hammer Down hadn’t deployed in force since the eighties: the arsenal beneath Ruby Mountain was practically a boneyard, half of it stolen from other boneyards.
At least the bushmasters still worked.
The backline clamors with activity, vast auto-censers vaporizing industrial quantities of frankincense and myrrh over a pyramid of piled ammunition crates as black flocks of conscripted vestry recite tactical sacrament with a fervor comprehensible only to the damned. Gun crews scramble up and down the palisades, skidding into foxholes, rapping atop sigil-touched turrets rotating as one to face the very mouth of Hell, white-hot on their thermals.
Morris counters up and down the line simultaneously crescendo into ear-splitting screeches that rise into frequencies inaudible, before shorting out altogether in sparking bursts of static.
Freedman looks towards the burning horizon, swallows his Zyn, and pre-sights the main gun.
The last belts are loaded, the last hatches are sealed, the last pieces of chewing tobacco spat ignominiously into the rusty earth.
There is a terrible, breathless, aching silence.
The earth shifts, boils, shatters.
“Weapons free.”
Hell follows.
------
Asveth Korgaul is close now, so terribly, achingly close. The plain beneath him writhes with a living carpet of the ##red| lesser##, like red water flowing over and under his limbs, biting at adamantite scales, crushed by the millions beneath every quaking step.
He sees now the reason for their congregation.
There is a ##red| tear##.
A small one, a pale bloom of pink stretched against the undersky, a galactic teratoma compressed into a pulsing, wrathful singularity by exquisite agony. It leads, he sees now, it leads to a ##red| lesser## world, already spindled by threads of ##red| red## and black, balanced on the very precipice of **order**.
He bends his head in supplication to the Wounded Lord of Heaven and his prayer sounds with the thundering chorus of high-altitude thermonuclear detonation, with the hiss of cosmic background radiation, with the cries of children in pain.
He sheds many of his arms, for the ##red| lesser## world cannot bear them as they are. He sheds his adamantite scales for ones of mere graphene, his supernova claws for ones of base enchantment. He sheds his black crown and places it reverently on the ground, where it immediately begins melting its way down into the crust of Upper Megiddo.
Naked, supplicant, purified, he ascends towards the undersky upon winds of slaughter.
His pilgrimage awaits.
##red| tamarin tesh asham korgath turnal tamarin tesh avashin tomath vaten ela ela ela tamarin tesh##
Before him, the ##red| lesser## flee, maddened with terror, and behind him they flock in untold billions. Eagerly, they await their chance to spread the ##red| good word##.
------
The obsidian //khopesh// glides through 25 mm of composite-wrapped steel plating like so much wrapping paper. Sgt Calvin Freedman feels it slice through his plate carrier, hook up into his ribcage, and //pull//.
He coughs, a small, surprised noise. His face feels sticky and warm and blood runs down the plastic screen of the FCS display in front of him in black rivulets. Offhandedly, he feels a moment of sympathy for the cleanup crew.
Golden claws gleam through the gash in the hull, widening the gap in a screech of tortured metal. He coughs again, wetly. Something in his chest pops and deflates.
A figure stares down at him from the breach, black on red, bipedal, covered with a dense carpet of wriggling tendrils like the underbelly of a millipede. Six insectoid arms grip the edges of the cut, pulling. The side of the Bradley falls away into ribbons of twisted steel.
It’s grinning at him.
He grins back.
Blood-slick fingers reach for the detcord of the claymore mine strapped across his chest, pulling the pin.
------
Fifteen minutes into the battle sees Commander Lionel Jefferson realize that all is lost.
The command tent rattles with the blast of the handful of ancient Paladins that consist of the sum total of the Foundation’s artillery corps. Privately, he doubts that even ten times their number would’ve been enough to make a difference.
If he survived, Jefferson resolves, clenching his teeth, he’d have the Logistics Division lined up against the wall and shot. He’d do it himself if he had to.
There had simply been too many of them. Sheer volume of bodies had nearly instantaneously overwhelmed the output of the first killzones, a red wave pouring over concertina wire and trenches to slam liquidly against the first set of palisades. Almost half of the Bradleys had been lost in those frantic first minutes, dug-in outside the walls. There simply had been nowhere to retreat them to, not after the primary fallback routes had become entirely inundated by swarms of blue-feathered, multi-headed pangolins that spit acid, ate metal and ran at highway speeds. He’d ordered them abandoned instead, scuttled with blessed thermite and satchel charges, and personally watched from atop the concertainer as the bonfires flared up one by one, each briefly illuminating the scuttling, crawling stream of bodies before snuffing out.
Not a single crewman had belayed the order.
Not a single one had made it back behind the walls.
The emplacement itself would hold for a while longer, at least. He’d ordered the M113s, alongside the remaining Bradleys, up onto dirt ramps, depressing their Vulcans over the palisade to fire point-blank into the horde as they scrabbled and scratched at the base of the walls. Jefferson was confident that they’d manage to keep the demons at bay for as long as the ammo held out.
By his most generous estimates, they’d last for another half-hour.
Staring through the blood-mist at his crumbling frontline, Commander Lionel Jefferson comes to the terrible realization that the Montana National Guard genuinely might’ve done better in his position. For the first time in twenty years of honorable service, despair sets in.
There was only so much you could do with a scalpel, however sharp, when arrayed against an exploding volcano.
“Priority one is making sure the Overseer makes it out alive. Send five men from my alpha company to the lab. Make sure she’s on the first truck out of here. Start evacuating the backline staff to the minimum viable fallback distance alongside the remaining garrison force. Send anyone left to the front. Ping Overwatch, flag STARFIRE BRAVO NOVA, and tell the nukies to get the bomb ready. We’re going to take out as many of these fuckers-”
“OVERSEER ON DECK!”
Through the din, through the artillery, the sounds of slaughter, and the screeching of Hell, those three words cut like a prayer.
Jefferson turns towards the entrance of the command post.
O5-7 is standing there, a flock of white coats trailing reverently in her wake, faces cast in supplicant admiration. Her thin blonde hair is unwound, falling around her shoulders in scraggly streams, and she’s smiling.
There’s nothing nervous about it this time, no hint of uncertainty or doubt. It’s a smile that casts a shadow, balanced on the knife’s edge of wild, unconscious charisma and cackling madness. It’s a smile that cuts like a tungsten rod dropped from orbit.
It’s the smile of one about to do the impossible.
Against all experience, all rational belief, all smatterings of common sense, Jefferson feels his heart beating with wild hope. His arm is raised in salute. He doesn’t even remember doing it. The tent is quiet. The battle is quiet. Hell itself seems to have gone quiet.
The Overseer’s command rings out like the edict of a demigod.
“I need to borrow your nuclear bomb.”
------
++ ##red |4. SHOCK AND AWE##
------
The ##red| lesser## world is close enough to taste and indeed he tastes it now, wild and heady, incensed with smoke, heavy with blood, thin and tender and sweet with slaughter.
Asveth Korgaul throws back his head and ululates with many mouths, singing in blessed supplication to the Almighty Lord of Pain. He rends at Time with many hands, cuts at Space with many claws. The tear in the undersky bleeds and the space between is awash in red.
Below him the ##red| lesser## join in infernal chorus, a billion, billion feet stamping upon the face of the abyss, a billion, billion prayers rising like screams into a sky that splinters and cracks, a clamor that is ##red| legion##, sevenfold.
##red| URATH UDAL TAMARIN TESH ASVETH KORGAUL RASHIM UDAL URATH SADDAKT TAVIN##
Slowly, slowly, the undersky opens, weeping ribbons of red.
##red| Conquest awaits.##
------
The woman that is seven of thirteen, that is ████ █████, that is Overseer, that is Hierophant, that is Blasphemer, that is uncertain, that is unclear, that is //nonetheless// bares herself to the world and prepares to bring forth miracle.
Her right hand holds a silvered knife. Her left hand is hidden.
White-coats stand in tabernacle chorus, faces bent in supplication. They read an incantation from a teleprompter, voices ringing with conjoined power, and it is thus.
###B200ED| Miracles are paid for in blood.##
From the crumbling frontline, from the desperate struggle that yet rages scant feet away from the convocation, ichor flows in a red river over the rusty earth, the life-blood of a hundred good men twisting in the air to form the base of a circle, ring within rings.
The seventh raises her anathame blade in salute, then slides it softly across her palm.
Hers is the blood of an order that bestrides the earth, that has bound gods and brought them to heel, shattered nations and remade them. It flows from her palm and forms a sigil, //the// sigil, hovering in the center of the martyr’s circle.
Three arrows, facing inwards, intersecting a ring.
###B200ED| Miracles are paid for in blood.##
Here is the voice to call down thunder, to sunder the earth. Here is power, resonant, coruscant, writhing and rabid. Here is the woman that brings it to heel.
The seventh’s voice joins the chorus in ringing, clarion ###B200ED| assertion##.
###B200ED| Foe’s crown,##
###B200ED| Law of steel,##
###B200ED| Circle unbroken,##
###B200ED| I rescind your invitation,##
###B200ED| Worm-that-is-king,##
###B200ED| Emperor-of-snakes,##
###B200ED| Nothing-and-nowhere##
This is a gauntlet thrown, and it must know an answer.
There is a rumbling, a deep tremor in the bloodsoaked earth. The ranks of Hell still, turning as one to face the burning pit, kneeling in the dust. The defenders left atop the wall rally, cutting them down in their unmoving hundreds. This is no matter.
##red| Asveth Korgaul is come.##
From the hellgate a black arm erupts, ten stories high, trailing gouts of baleful flame. The blood-mist thickens, congeals, dripping into respirators, choking, sickening, rancid.
There is a terrible, triumphant, trumpeting howl, and it is thus.
##red| tamarin tesh asham korgath turnal tamarin tesh avashin tomath vaten ela ela ela tamarin tesh##
##red| shomaush shomaush, shomaush teshet raketh##
##red| <oh red lord, oh red lord, oh victorious red lord>##
The contest is met.
**~**
//An old man and a young girl stare side-by-side at a shaky chalk diagram// //drawn onto the concrete floor of a cell. The old man smiles toothlessly,// //and flashes a thumbs up at the fisheye lens that watches them both from// //the ceiling. There is a pause. The silver-and-steel explosive collar// //wrapped around his neck hisses with pneumatic release and falls clattering// //to the floor. He rubs at his neck where the skin is raw and red and// //breathes in, deep. The girl stares up at him in sympathy.//
//The voice on the intercom blares an order. The old man picks up a scalpel,// //carefully peeling back the sterile plastic sheathe. He makes an incision// //on his index finger, holding it over the center of the chalk outline. The// //girl watches, fascinated, as three red droplets fall and splash into the// //center of the diagram.//
//There is a whisper that glides over her skin like a breeze.//
//Miracles are paid for in blood.//
**~**
The chanting continues, thesis and antithesis, ###B200ED| assertion## and ##red| assertion##. The earth roils and fractures. Sections of the barricade are brought to ruin, its defenders dismayed, dismounting their vehicles and running for shelter, knowing themselves as ants in a titanomachy. High above, in the upper atmosphere, the air crackles and snaps with thaumoelectric discharge. The wind comes, dry and hot, smelling of ozone and blood. Some of the white-coats drop to their knees, crumpling to the ground like paper dolls. The rest continue the incantation, blinking sweat from bloodshot eyes. They cannot stop now.
The seventh reveals her hand at last.
###B200ED| Martyr’s blood,##
###B200ED| King’s blood,##
###B200ED| Stolen dawn,##
###B200ED| Law of flame,##
###B200ED| Glint on glass,##
++* ###ff7700| SUNRISE##
At the center of the circle the alpha warhead detonates in a plume of searing light.
###B200ED| The seventh has bought her miracle with the blood of the sun.##
She should be blind, seared and skinless. She should be ash, less than ash, molecular debris floating on radioactive wind. She clenches her fist and the nuclear plume rears into the air, bound ineffably by the circle into a spear of light a mile high. The white-coats are weeping tears of blood, broken lips still moving in recitation of the incantation seared into their skulls by atomic flame.
The seventh breathes in, breathes out, brings her fist to her chest with a final shout. The miracle flows into her like the breath of God.
For a moment, for an eternity, she is astride the world.
She spares the hellgate a single, smoldering glance, and ###B200ED| calls down the sun.##
------
O5-6 lets the glass slip from his fingers, shattering thousand-dollar liquor over billion-dollar floors.
“Holy fucking shit.”
------
[[div class="omalley"]]
“Mister President, fifteen minutes ago, the Foundation detonated a nuclear device on American soil.”
[[/div]]
------
Asveth Korgaul feels the ##red| tear## slam shut on his arm, sundering it in a great gout of ichor.
He is falling, falling, falling back onto the black plain of the abyss.
His body crashes back into Upper Megiddo with the force of celestial impact. The crust shatters. Chains of magma wrap in iridescent tendrils around his many, many arms, pulling him down, down into the mantle, down into the infinite ##red |red## that pulses at the heart of the abyss, colder than the gulf between stars.
The ##red| master## is displeased.
------
Seven totters to the ground, smouldering, labcoat splaying around her in a pool of half-melted laminate. The rest of Beta-77 follows shortly after, slumping into the dust. Dimly, she’s aware of medical teams rushing the field, someone shouting orders.
“I’m okay”, she manages, through bruised and bleeding lips. “I’m okay. See to the others first.”
It’s raining over Meeker. The blood-mist washes away, extinguishing the lingering flames. Wounded are recovered, the dead gathered where they lie. What’s left of them, anyway. Those that can be identified are body-bagged. Graves are dug for those that can’t.
In the downpour, the second half of the mission begins.
Containment.
Hard-helmeted men with determined expressions and blue coveralls move into the town first, carefully navigating the glassy ruins left by atomic miracle. What concertainer segments remain intact are recovered, the rest reduced to rubble by acetylene torches and demolition charges. Concertina wire is respooled, foxholes and earthworks concealed and flattened by a small squadron of bulldozers.
In the end, the hellgate itself proves almost a mercy. Burnt out Bradleys and brass casings are collected, then piled en masse into the gaping maw. The first shovelful of dirt falls into the pit accompanied by rousing cheers. It’s bitter work, but spirits are high.
After all, they’ve just saved the world.
Foundation webcrawlers scour the internet, corrupting data, erasing files, deleting photos. Dusty departmental archives are raided, certain files defaced. A careful story is floated to select media outlets. Municipal, state, and federal officials disjointly receive word of some kind of disaster, a fire, maybe, or an earthquake. The reports are unclear and contradictory. What they are unanimous on, however, is that help is already on-site.
[[div class="dictation"]]
The situation is under control.
[[/div]]
A select few families receive knocks on the door in the middle of the night by faceless men in plain suits and dark glasses with official-looking badges. Their reach isn’t omnipresent nor omnipotent, not nearly so, but it doesn’t have to be.
Meeker is a small town, and it is made smaller.
Twelve hours after the hellgate closes- on the dot- it is as the adage goes.
Nobody who knows, cares, and nobody who cares, knows.
1,866 people cease to exist in any way that matters.
[[div class="dictation"]]
SCP-616-3 is reclassified as neutralized by order of Foundation High Command as of 0100 GMT 11/30/2009
[[/div]]
------
**11/29/2009**
Langley, Virginia
Four large meat lovers’ with extra Italian sausage and bacon on the side. Three vegetarians’, hold the onions, hold the pepper, extra olives. Two anchovy and blue-cheese thin crusts, wrapped separately. Twelve assorted sodas and a milkshake.
Terrence and his manager exchange knowing looks.
“It’s one of //those// orders, isn’t it?”
The manager gives a subtle nod.
“Up or-” Terrence leans in close, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “-down?”
Down.
Racing down the 495, midnight wind blowing through his hair. Eighties radio blares from clapped-out speakers as the scent of grease fills the cabin.
Down.
He takes a right, onto the service road that bends between the trees, dark and deep. Past the escalating warning signs, past the soft perimeter of artfully concealed pressure plates and infrared cams, past the hard perimeter of retracted gun emplacements and the JSOC counter-assault team watching him through thousand-dollar thermals, past the steel gate that slides open, smooth and silent.
He parks just off the road, takes the stack of boxes, still warm, out of the trunk, and heads down.
Down, into the unassuming unmarked concrete access tunnel.
Down, past the recessed blast doors, past the bedrock, past the geomantic wards layered thick enough to bite.
Down, until his breath catches in his throat, short and sharp, misting the air.
Down, until space wraps around itself like a garrote wire, down into hypothetical N-space, down into everything that Langley ever was and everything Langley will ever be.
Welcome to PENTAGRAM. They’re good tippers.
The end of the passage opens up into an expansive entrance hall. Terrence makes his way to the reception desk, boxes balanced precariously, fastidiously avoiding the important looking people criss-crossing the marble floors in patent leather shoes.
“Hey Clark. Busy night?”
The blue-uniformed guard smiles tiredly and slides another twenty across the counter.
“Like you wouldn’t believe.”
------
[[div class="omalley"]]
“No sir, this would not constitute an act of war.”
“Yes sir, the casualty estimates are accurate to the best of my knowledge. Yes sir, I do believe the risk is commensurate.”
“Yes sir, the Joint Chiefs stand ready. We’re waiting for your order, sir.”
[[/div]]
------
The last graves are filled, tamped down, smoothed seamlessly into the rusty earth. Thaumoelectric generators are silenced, ritual engines doused with mare’s blood and serenaded to sleep, then bundled, cloth-covered, into a small fleet of M939s.
Seven sleek medevac helicopters descend from the slate sky, scrambled from Area-14. There’s a small dispute when Jefferson insists that O5-7 be seated on the first outbound flight.
“The wounded go first. There will be no more unnecessary deaths today. I will not allow it.”
Jefferson hesitates, then meets her gaze, nodding. Seven sees the reverence blooming in his expression, and hates herself a little for taking pride in it.
“Understood ma’am. I’ll make preparations for your presence in the convoy. ETA to Site-8 is seven hours and thirty minutes.”
------
[[div class="omalley"]]
“With respect, sir, we need your decision now.”
“This is it. Make or break.”
[[/div]]
------
The sun over Meeker is just touching the horizon when the convoy sets out.
They are not the first to leave. Much of the work of the day was spent mounting and securing the remaining Bradleys atop a series of flatbed haulers departing for the railroad junction at Glenwood Spring under the guise of an Army field exercise, and neither will they be the last. There is a garrison left behind, token perimeter security and a squad of glum-faced researchers who, having drawn short straws, will stay on-site for another three months, monitoring spacetime integrity and any lingering tartarean contamination. Seven attempts a pep talk, reciting the platitudes One bade her memorize by rote. The words feel plastic, artificial, but she sees their backs straighten nonetheless. She walks away before they can attempt a salute.
Seven stretches out in the mercifully empty backseat of the Humvee, letting out a shuddering breath. Thaumic exhaustion roils beneath her skin, flaring into painful spasms that leave her wincing, rubbing at her arms. She wonders at the lengths Jefferson must have gone to reserve an entire vehicle for her personal use, stifling a guilty smirk as she pictures a squad of grim-faced operators sitting stoically in each other’s laps.
Her eyes slip shut, just for a moment.
------
[[div class="omalley"]]
Cigarette smoke curls dimly in the blue light, spun into a slow vortex by the ceiling fan. The cuban is almost gone, dim orange embers scattering onto white-knuckled fingers with every quiet exhalation. It goes unnoticed.
His other hand presses an obsidian-black aetheric transmitter to his ear. He’s holding his breath. The dozen black-suited men and women watching his every move hold their breath as well. There is a pause.
“Yes sir. Understood.”
[[/div]]
------
The Apache screams over the rolling hills, black against the night, dragging a plume of dust and shredded shrubbery in its wake. It buzzes a copse of willow trees, stripping leaves from branches, sending a foraging jackrabbit scurrying for cover down an abandoned gopher hole.
There is a moment of silence. The jackrabbit pokes cautiously out of the earth.
Eight additional rotors sound in the Apache’s wake.
The rabbit scampers deeper into the burrow.
------
“eagle one reporting convoy sighted square november fife four dash two clicks southbound on the I-5 tally twenty two request clearance to engage”
------
[[div class="omalley"]]
Connor O’Malley, Director of PENTAGRAM, lets a broad, shallow smile crawl across his face and exhales a cloud of fragrant smoke.
[[/div]]
“Strike.”
------
There is a microsecond bite of shrieking terror burrowing at the underside of her subconscious. O5-7 snaps bleary eyes open, pulse suddenly racing.
###B200ED| She is about to die. She is about to die. She is about to die.##
The magic in her blood is screaming at her.
Without thinking, without pause, Seven shouts a word in a language unspoken for nine thousand years.
Half a second later the AGM-114L Hellfire slams into her humvee and everything becomes flame and noise and ruin.
------
[[div class="omalley"]]
The eagle screams into the stratosphere, then higher still, engines burning blue. Vapor coruscates off the airframe in white contrails that unfold into pleated petals of mist as the air splits once, twice and still the engines roar. Steady hands grip the joystick as the cockpit quakes and outside the vista turns from sunny sky-blue to indigo black. Higher, yet higher, until the horizon line falls away and below spins blue marble. Breathe in, five-hundred pounds on your chest, breathe out, hissing and spitting, blood pounding in your ears.
Release.
From the eagle’s belly a line of shining silver flings itself into the black.
[[/div]]
[[=image first_strike.png width="60%";]]
------
++ ##red |5. COCKED PISTOL##
------
[[div class="dictation"]]
This is an automatically generated entry documenting breaking events. Situation type: SCRAMBLE. Affected systems: ORBITAL ASSET RELAY. Affected personnel: TECHNICAL, COMMUNICATIONS, DOL, DOS.
This entry was generated on 20██/11/30 15:42 GMT by O5-3 [[email protected]]
Incident #: 20██011300███
Severity: High-Critical
Possibility of Foundation Casualties: High-Critical
Risk of Public Dissemination: Moderate
Incident Status: In-Progress
Affected Sites: Output Error: List object exceeds 10,000 characters.
Live Relay Integrity: 0.0% (0/███ CAVSAT assets responsive)
[[/div]]
------
“What the fuck is happening, Three?”
[[div class="president"]]
|>UNKNOWN MASSIVE NETWORK DISRUPTION ATTEMPTING REROUTE DIFFICULT 99.4% OPERATIONAL CAPACITY INSUFFICIENT ASSUME EQUIVALENT AGENT LEVEL COUNTERFORCE
[[/div]]
Golden fingers clatter desperately across three separate keyboards as klaxons echo throughout the empty halls of Site-01. O5-6 cycles through seven languages worth of profanity as he navigates through screen after screen of dead air and error messages.
“Can you turn those sirens off? I’m the only person in the Site!”
[[div class="president"]]
|>ACKNOWLEDGED
[[/div]]
The sirens snap off mid-squawk.
Six rubs at the bridge of his nose, trying to head off the migraine he feels building deep in his temple.
“There are five general intelligences operating within an order of magnitude of your capacity that we know of. Can you rule out any of them? Incidentally or otherwise.”
There is a momentary pause.
[[div class="president"]]
|>NO ATTEMPTED INTRUSION INTO DATABASE NO DISRUPTION TO CORE PERSONALITY MATRIX NO KNOWN AIC BREACHES
[[/div]]
“That rules out the Nornir, and both of the Maxwellianists.”
[[div class="president"]]
|>MINIMAL VEIL DISRUPTION OBSERVED THUS FAR
[[/div]]
“Not the Engine then, that //abomination// wouldn't give a damn about keeping the Veil, were it capable of acting on this scale. That leaves-”
[[div class="president"]]
|>MAGISTER SEVEN THAUMOCOGNITION SYSTEM
[[/div]]
“-the Americans.”
Six leans back in his chair, heart racing.
“This doesn’t make any sense. This doesn’t make any sense at all. We //contained// 616-3. We sealed the hellgate. //We did our goddamned jobs//. Nothing incentivizes them to act- not now- unless-”
Six sits up, breathing hard.
“Seven’s ritual. Damn them. Damn her. Fucking witch, fucking hellspawn, //they think we used a nuclear bomb//, Three.”
Six stands, pacing the room.
“No, no, even then, //even then//, that changes nothing. The Deterrence Doctrine was built to allow for the eventuality of a nuclear contingency being used- there’s still nothing justifying annulment, not on this scale-”
O5-6 stops mid-stride.
There is a figure standing in the doorway to the command room, which is impossible, as O5-6 is the only living thing within ███ kilometers of Site-01. Sunken gray eyes set in pallid flesh braided with cords of sanctic copper stare down at Six.
There is a slow sensation of simultaneous unravelling and rearrangement, puzzle pieces falling into place like a twisting knife.
The factotum’s jaw unhinges with a wet tear, revealing the recessed speaker embedded in its throat.
Six makes a decision that saves his life.
Stuffing golden fingers into his ears, he grits his teeth and pushes. His eardrums pop, warm blood trickling down the side of his head, just in time to defend against the truly virulent stream of verbal cognitohazards erupting from the corpse-puppet as it lunges at him, pale hands outstretched.
The impact knocks him to the floor, air rushing from his lungs as the thing wraps icy, implacable fingers around his neck and squeezes. The dead eyes staring back into his own glint with malign consciousness. The factotum doesn’t smile, not with its jaw dangling loosely by copper wire, but there’s an impression of one nonetheless.
He claws uselessly at dead flesh, golden fingers scraping bloodless rivulets into its cheeks. Blackness creeps into the edges of his vision, his grip slackening. Six feels his pulse thumping in his temple, a pounding echo in his skull.
Gasping, choking on a mouthful of blood, Six spits in the thing’s face.
Sulfur, sharp and pungent wafts through the air, mixing the scent of iron. Where his blood splatters against the factotum’s skin, great black strips of flesh crumble, rotting off of the copper scaffolding, spreading inwards. There is a spray of sparks as the disintegration hits something critical. The thing’s grip slackens.
Six slides the inert factotum off of him, scrabbling on hands and knees towards the central console. Blood fills his mouth, vision gone spotty with distortion. He knows better than to try to breathe. Golden fingers pry open a metal panel from the bottom of the console, revealing a thin metal syringe.
With the last of his strength, Six injects 20ccs of synthetic Paramecium directly into the side of his neck.
He feels his eardrums reconstitute, then screams in agony as his shattered throat pushes itself back into position.
In a voice made raw by reknitting vocal cords, Six gasps into the air.
“Counterintelligence. Sold us out.”
[[div class="president"]]
|>CONCURRENCE
[[/div]]
“PENTAGRAM knows the deterrence outline.”
[[div class="president"]]
|>CONCURRENCE
[[/div]]
“//Goddamnit they might actually win//.”
[[div class="president"]]
|>CONCURRENCE
[[/div]]
Pulling himself to his feet, Six brushes himself off, wiping at the blackened viscera staining the lapel of his suit. Golden fingers run through thinning hair.
“The Foundation is at war.”
[[div class="president"]]
|>CONCURRENCE
|>INITIALIZE DETERRENCE DOCTRINE?
[[/div]]
O5-6 takes his seat in front of the central console. He breathes in deep, and out, flipping up the safety cap of the Armageddon Button.
“Do it.”
There’s a moment of hesitation, golden fingers clenching, digging grooves into the leather armrests of his chair.
“Where the hell is One?”
------
++ ##red |6. CRESCENDO##
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
CDRUSS STRATCOM CONPLAN 9633 SUMMARY “OPERATION BLOCKBUSTER”
PURPOSE- To eradicate the operational capacity of the SCP Foundation within the contiguous and territorial borders of the United States of America. To safeguard American citizenry from Foundation reprisal and additional sub-veil threat organizations. To preserve American paranatural dominance in the face of extraordinary threat to national sovereignty and liberty.
[[/div]]
------
It’s morning in America.
Mason Gutierrez watches his breath frost onto the inner pane of the guard booth and sighs miserably, rubbing his hands together. It’s always cold in Site-19, doubly so in the surface wards. Drinks would ice over if you left them out overnight, cans of coke would burst, and the water came out of the faucets cold enough to burn when it flowed at all. He’d wear gloves, he ought to wear gloves, half the infirmary was full from frostbite this time of year, but the damned things made keyboards impossible to use.
He picks up his mug of steaming coffee, wrapping his fingers around it gratefully before taking a small, measured sip. He has to make it last. A refill would mean making the ten minute trek back across the outer perimeter into the barracks, through the driving wind that cut through layers like a knife, that blew gritty snow into your eyes and up your nose, through the cold that left your lips bleeding and chapped.
There is a flashing red light on the display. Mason sets the cup down, peering cautiously at his monitor. Something is at the vehicle gate.
Tourists, probably. There were always tourists here, coming up and down the highways across the tundra and they always, always managed to get lost. He accesses the gate camera, wincing as newly warmed fingers clatter against icy keys. Gray screen.
The bastards on second shift forgot to defrost the lenses, again.
Shouldering his rifle, Mason presses the yellow caution, just in case, bracing himself before opening the door to the guard booth.
“Hey! You folks gotta get outta here! Government prop-!”
His voice is cut by the sound of steel crumpling like tinsel.
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
Phase 1- Control
STRATCOM assets will mobilize in force nationwide to take control of major Foundation sites. Priority is given to the elimination of Foundation response infrastructure, Mobile Task Force deployment capability, and paraweaponry development.
[[/div]]
------
Seventy tons of main battle tank rams through the chain-link fence of Site-19’s outer perimeter like the fist of God.
Mason scrambles back into the guard booth, frozen fingers slamming onto the panic button as he cowers beneath his desk.
“Fuck me.”
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
Due to varied threat terrain, cooperation between service branches is vital.
[[/div]]
------
Doctor Maria Korrigan stares out of the porthole, mouth agape. Silicon wafers slip from her fingers, clattering softly against the floor.
“James, when’s the next shift change due?”
“Not for another… two months? Why do you ask?”
Maria points a shaking finger at the ceaseless gray plain of the Mare Imbrium.
“Then who the fuck are they?”
James peers through the tempered glass, then takes a startled step back, face gone pale.
“Holy hell, are those //guns//?”
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
Phase 2- Capture
An index of relevant High Value Targets is to be collated and produced by joint initiative of PENTAGRAM and the Directorate of National Intelligence. Veil-safe variations are to be distributed to relevant law enforcement personnel.
[[/div]]
------
Director Tilda Moose hurls another fireball down the breach, simultaneously bursting a pressurized overhead coolant pipe with a flick of her wrist. The hallway fills with flame, automatic gunfire replaced by shouts of alarm. Cautiously, she levitates a shard of polarized glass around the doorway, wincing as suppressive fire resumes, shattering the makeshift mirror.
Something small and metal skitters through the doorway, bouncing at her feet. Snapping her fingers, she sends it skittering the other way before ducking behind the wall and plugging her ears. There’s an earsplitting bang.
“That one wasn’t a flashbang. I think they’re about done trying to take us alive.”
She reaches for a pouch on the bandolier strapped across her chest, producing a fistful of bees.
##green| “Fly, my pretties!”##
Behind her, the remnants of Sigma-3 cower behind a bookshelf, furiously incanting. The chalk doorway scrawled onto the wall in front of them remains frustratingly opaque.
“What’s taking so long?”
There’s a brief scuffle among the circle of researchers before one of them, a dark-haired man bleeding from a scrape across the bridge of his nose, stands, clearing his throat.
“Ma’am, our library cards aren’t working.”
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
Priority assets are to be acquired unharmed if possible, however, in some circumstances this may prove untenable.
[[/div]]
------
[[div class="president"]]
|>Alexandria.aic: Hello? Who is this? What is going on?
|>UNKNOWN/ADMIN: Kill yourself.
[[/div]]
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
The Joint Chiefs will recommend temporary suspension of Executive Order 12333 for the duration of the operation.
[[/div]]
------
Site Director Leonard Hauz swears at the flashing red-and-blue lights in his rearview mirror. He pulls over to the side of the road, already reaching for his wallet. Deft fingers slide a white priming card into the ID display before he forces an unassuming smile onto his face, rolling down the driver’s side window.
“What seems to be-”
Two gunshots.
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
The Securities and Exchange Commission will halt all transactions pursuant to the following tickers for a period of ten trading days: $SCCP, $PCS, $SNCP, $SCPZ, $SPPC, $SPC.
[[/div]]
------
“You people have nothing on me. //Nothing//.”
“Mr. Fitzgerald, please understand-”
“Seventeen years of legitimate business, by the book. By the book! Line by line, word by fucking word, goddamnit Georgie, what the fuck is going on?
The gray man sitting across from him purses colorless lips.
“It’s over, Fritz. This is the big one. Let’s not make this any harder than it has to be.”
Jeremiah Fitzgerald, CEO and majority shareholder of Sentinel Capital Partners LLC, twenty year veteran of MTF-Mu 3, and three hundred and fifty-first richest man in the world, slumps back into his seat, ballpoint pen slipping through trembling fingers to clatter against mahogany flooring.
“God, at least tell me the charges. Least you could do.”
For the first time since he can remember, Jeremiah sees the gray man smile, eyes flat and cold and cruel.
“Wire fraud.”
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
Phase 3- Denial
A comprehensive multi-phase occult security cordon is to be established around critical infrastructure.
[[/div]]
------
Petty Officer Andrew Graham lets out a croaking gurgle and drops to the ground as the ritual dagger glides across his neck, smooth and silent. Lifeblood flows down the basalt column, into the recesses and grooves of the black room carved by secret order of Ronald Reagan on October 31st, 1986. Around the altar sixteen senators chant the opening paragraph of the Declaration of Independence in High Daevite, interspersed by screaming eagles and a recording of the first bombs falling on Baghdad.
Three hundred feet beneath the Oval Office, a disembodied black heart beats for the first time in forty years.
In the skies of Washington, the strongest geomantic warding scheme ever devised flickers into luminous existence. Sunrise over the capital dawns pale, thin, and red.
Across the country, thirteen year old Samantha Wilkins has a dream about killing the President.
She stops breathing thirty seconds later.
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
Embedded covert assets are to be activated in conjunction with continual suppression operations.
[[/div]]
-----
“Are you certain the order is legitimate, Matthews?”
“Scipnet is still down, so there’s no real method of protocol verification but sir-”
The room shakes, dust cascading from the ceiling. The overhead lights flicker maddeningly and there’s a great groan of agonized steel as the ventilation fans slowly spin to a halt.
“Sir, I have to ask, at a certain point, does it even matter? I mean-”
There’s a sound like the sky falling atop their heads, a deep whistle followed by a calamitous detonation that sends the room stumbling to the floor, hands clapped over ears. Monitors topple, crashing down in showers of sparks and broken glass. There is a round of muffled cursing. Klaxons blare, and then the fluorescents cut out, replaced after a beat by the red glow of emergency lighting.
“I’m pretty sure they just dropped a bunker buster on us.”
“Point taken.”
Director Richard Xythinien wipes his nose, blood smearing the back of his hand. He pauses for a moment, considering, before reaching into his breast pocket to produce two silver keys.
“Never thought I’d actually have to go through with this. Even the nuke seemed more likely, looking back. Working for the Foundation thirty years, you get the idea-”
The room shakes again. One of the supports groans ominously, cracks spiderwebbing the concrete. The director stumbles, then catches himself, shaking his head.
“Same procedure as detonating the warhead. You know the drill. Both keys turn within twenty seconds or the system freezes, locks us out.”
He tosses one of the silver keys at Matthews, turning towards the console.
“This is the big one. This releases everything we have, vents, cells, blackwater, //everything//. You understand, Matthews?”
“Crystal. For the record, sir, it’s been an honor.”
“Like-”
The snub-nosed polyurethane .38 in his hand kicks twice, barrel shattering with the recoil. The director is dead before he hits the floor.
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
The rapid acquisition of a complete Foundation database archive is imperative. Priority target locations include known DEEPWELL facilities, Site-17, and Archival Site-07. Resistance presumed heavy.
[[/div]]
------
[[[greenlight|A second sun blooms off the Alaskan coast, bought by the lives of seven good men.]]] Northerly winds carry the fallout south.
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
Phase 4- Assertion
The Department of State will release sub-veil communications to all relevant paranatural actors, informing them of the state of war existing between the government of the United States of America and the SCP Foundation.
[[/div]]
------
//A handsome, brown-eyed man wearing a heavy greatcoat sits in front of a// //shivering, blonde-haired girl. There’s a corpse cooling on the ground// //behind them in a spreading pool of blood. The girl is trying very, very// //hard not to look back at the body.//
//The man reaches out with gentle fingers and turns her face towards his.// //His touch leaves streaks of soot on her skin.//
**~**
Seven wakes to the dim impression of rushing water.
The cell is small, sparsely furnished. There’s a cot and desk bolted into the concrete floor and a fisheye lens gleaming in the corner of the ceiling. It’s an uncomfortably familiar arrangement.
Seven turns her head, wincing. There’s less pain than she expected: a dim ache in the pit of her stomach coupled to a sense of comprehensive //emptiness//, and a gnawing hunger grown to proportions beyond simple sensation. Her hands are bound behind her back, and something cool and metal presses loosely around her neck, shifting as she moves her shoulders.
The walls of the cell shine with a steady sheen of running water, cascading from floor to ceiling in laminar sheets that splash into grates lining the perimeter of the room. The air is heavy with geomancy, aether tainted with the runoff of a dozen cascading wards.
There’s a moment of faint irony.
She’s familiar with the theory behind the cell. She wrote most of it herself.
There’s a loud thrum that echoes through the cement floor, and the flow trickles to a stop, leaving the walls glistening with moisture. The door to the cell opens, swinging on heavy hinges.
A woman walks in, flanked by two grim-faced men in plainclothes with assault rifles slung over their shoulders. She holds a briefcase in one hand and a folding chair in the other.
“You must realize who I am.” Her voice comes out as a rasping croak.
“We do.”
The woman sets the folding chair down. One of the guards moves to stand in front of the doorway. The other circles behind Seven, rifle raised.
“Then you realize what utter folly it is to have taken me alive. I am an Overseer of the SCP Foundation. They will come for me. They will find me.”
The woman takes a seat, one eyebrow arched. She looks faintly unimpressed.
“My name is Tabitha Jones. I’m from the State Department. We have a few questions for you.”
Seven opens her mouth to respond. Nothing comes out. She looks down to see a circle of runes set in the floor around her flaring with dull crimson light.
The guard in the doorway produces a camcorder, red light blinking.
“It would be best if you cooperate.”
------
[[div class="textbook"]]
The State Department will exert all possible diplomatic measures to deter Foundation allies and the paranatural community at large from attempting aid.
[[/div]]
------
Six stares at the still frame, eyes burning with exhaustion. It's her. Haggard and bleeding and filthy, but it's her, unmistakably her. There is a sense of terrible dissolution.
“Who else did they send this to, Three?”
------
[[div class="dictation"]]
NOTICE FROM GOLDBAKER-REINZ LLC
To the SCP Foundation,
Due to information that has recently come to light regarding the conduct of your organization in Meeker Township, Colorado throughout the week of November 26th, 2009, we have unilaterally elected to temporarily suspend clauses I, II, IV, and MMXVII of your coverage for this fiscal year. Please contact our liaison office at 511 West Avenue, New York, New York if you wish to file any dispute.
Best regards,
Claudia Rain, Vice President of Corporeal Operations
[[/div]]
------
[[div class="al-fine"]]
“Ma’am, the Nornir are in agreement. The tape is authentic.”
“Should we submit a response?”
“Understood. The Council is being convened as we speak. I’ll make arrangements right away.”
[[/div]]
------
The Engineer opens her eyes, smiling. She’s just had the most wonderful dream.
------
++ ##red |7. DOUBLE TAKE##
------
“Six. The substitute.” The aether-pict wavers, distortion flaring through the image. “I was expecting One.”
Six grits his teeth. By any reasonable measure the composure of the woman on the other side of the scry would be unthinkable, infuriating arrogance.
D.C Al Fine is many things but she is not arrogant.
Arrogance is for those with something to prove. Arrogance implies compensation. Al Fine does not compensate. Al Fine declares, and the world leaps to obey. This is not a gift- though she has many gifts. It is a fact of her position- the irrefutable gravitational pull of uncontested power.
“My apologies.” The words taste like nightshade. “He is otherwise disposed.”
One was missing, had been since morning. Three had brought him pictures of a smoking crater in the Mojave, paired with rumors of nuclear detonation in the desert.
There were rumors everywhere, a million of them rising from the shadows, suffocating. Site-19, fallen. A hole blown into the surface of the moon. The American flag rising over Three Portlands, Site-64 broken from the inside.
Six closes his eyes and empties them from his mind. He forces himself to look at the truth, and only the truth, then clarifies further. There is a particular, mutual truth to this conversation.
He meets Al Fine’s gaze through the wavering aether.
The truth is thus. They are not equals.
He knows this. She knows this.
Swallowing his pride, O5-6 begins to beg.
------
[[div class="schemer"]]
Flame dances in the refraction of the fused, glassy dunes that line the sides of the crater, highlighting the smoke that rises invisibly into the night. Even now red sand slowly slithers into the breach, the sides of the pit hissing with the soft skittering of scarlet dunes sinking into the earth.
O5-1 watches his bunker burn from the edge of the pit and breathes in, deeply.
“ אֱלֹהִים, two thousand years hence, charnel yet smells the same.”
He turns away from the smoldering waste, looking up towards the endless Mojave night.
The stars above gleam high and cold, uncaring.
He reaches, and plucks one from out of the sky.
[[/div]]
------
“Enough. Your Sites are aflame from coast to coast, your armories are plundered, your armies broken and scattered. No more bartering.”
For the first time, there is a note of annoyance in the cast of her face. “No more bartering. No more hypotheticals. Convince me. What do you have to offer to my Coalition, as you are now?”
Six stands, golden fingers clenched into shining fists at his side. The mask of calm falls from his face.
"You would rather have PENTAGRAM in our place for the next hundred years? //PENTAGRAM//?"
Al Fine scoffs.
"PENTAGRAM is beholden to an empire. You //are// an empire, and beholden to nothing but yourself. What's the measure of the Foundation's GDP? How much does it export? Import? How many trade guarantees is it a part of? Is it a signatory to the Geneva Conventions?"
"Are you?"
"The Council of 108 meets directly underneath the Hague, Overseer. We don't have to be."
There is a moment of silence.
“We won’t go quietly. You can count on that. We haven’t emptied our vaults, not now, haven’t even come close. You, of all people, understand what I mean when I say //the Foundation will not go quietly//.”
A smile spreads across her face.
“To me, Μίδας, that sounds like //acquiescence//.”
O5-6 watches the aether-cast fade away. Golden hands reach for a fluted crystal chalice, crushing it to powder.
“Three.”
[[div class="president"]]
|>PRESENT
[[/div]]
“One is dead. Seven is a traitor to the Foundation.”
He watches the amber spilling from his hand, drop by drop.
“Summon the council.”
[[collapsible show="END" hide="2/5"]]
[[div class="schemer"]]
"Just as planned."
[[/div]]
[[/collapsible]]
------
= **<< [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/strikefall| STRIKEFALL]]] ||FALLOUT|| [[[outcast|OUTCAST]]] >>**
------
[[=]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>
|author=Intercedent]]
=====
> **Filename:** meeker_demon2.png
> **Author:** Intercedent
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [https://imgur.com/a/H49PpzR]
> **Filename:** meeker_hellgate2.png
> **Author:** Intercedent
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [https://imgur.com/a/tP2UDQ2]
> **Filename:** PENTOSTAMP.png
> **Author:** Anorrack
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [https://imgur.com/a/budl6AE]
> **Filename:** fallout_head.png
> **Author:** Intercedent
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [https://imgur.com/a/4WHDYNx]
> **Filename:** first_strike.png
> **Author:** Paul E. Reynolds
> **License:** Public Domain
> **Source Link:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon#/media/File:ASAT_missile_launch.jpg]
=====
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
[[/=]]
| 2025-01-06T06:59:00 | [
"action",
"global-occult-coalition",
"military-fiction",
"pentagram",
"scarlet-king",
"tale"
] | FALLOUT - SCP Foundation | 21 | [
"fallout#toc0",
"fallout#toc1",
"fallout#toc2",
"fallout#toc3",
"fallout#toc4",
"fallout#toc5",
"fallout#toc6",
"scp-616",
"greenlight",
"strikefall",
"outcast",
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"cotsk-hub",
"tales-by-year",
"goc-hub-page",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed"
] | [] | 1458187923 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/fallout |
|
gravecall-memory-exploit | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<img alt="0.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/0.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="1.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/1.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="2.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/2.png"/><br/>
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<img alt="4.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/4.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="5.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/5.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="6.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/6.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="7.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/7.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="8.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/8.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="9.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/9.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="10.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/10.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="11.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/11.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="12.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/12.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<img alt="13.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/13.png"/><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/GraveCall.pdf" target="_blank">Open Full File</a></strong></span>
</div></body></html> |
[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
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__**[*/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/GraveCall.pdf Open Full File]**__
| 2025-01-05T05:14:00 | [
"_image",
"illustrated",
"tale"
] | GraveCall-MemoryExploit_20560413_v3.pdf - SCP Foundation | 43 | [] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"foundation-tales",
"shortest-pages-this-month",
"top-rated-pages-this-month"
] | [
"https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/0.png",
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"https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/gravecall-memory-exploit/13.png"
] | 1458181736 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/gravecall-memory-exploit |
|
greenlight | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div style="display: none">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="code">
<div class="hl-main">
<pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">;
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--</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">;
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--</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">misc-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#464646</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E6283C</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-hover-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Color</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Accents</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">accent:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-default:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">;
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/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
:</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">;
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}</span></pre></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="preview">
<p>Between them, two hundred and fifteen years of service, between them seven rifles, seven parachutes, seven shots of rum, between them one atomic bomb.</p>
</div>
<div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">Anorrack and Intercedent</a>
<div class="authorbox">
<div class="authorcontent">
<p><strong>GREENLIGHT</strong><br/>
<strong>Authors:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/anorrack" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4188420); return false;"><img alt="Anorrack" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=4188420&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736400478" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=4188420)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/anorrack" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4188420); return false;">Anorrack</a></span> and <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/intercedent" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4048054); return false;"><img alt="Intercedent" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=4048054&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736400478" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=4048054)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/intercedent" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4048054); return false;">Intercedent</a></span><br/>
(1194 words)</p>
<p><strong>Other Works:</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="/dead-man-walking">Dead Man Walking</a>:</strong> In the finale to DEAD RECKONING, Quinn Law and the UIU race against time to stop the Lighthouse Mafia from staging the largest breakout in Paramax history. By Anorrack</p>
<p><strong><a href="/strikefall">STRIKEFALL</a>:</strong> <em>Strike Team Ivory Dagger tears into existence amidst a gentle misting of frozen elephant blood half a kilometer above the acropolis. There is a statistically significant amount of turbulence.</em> By Intercedent</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>There were seven of them.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Seven.</span></p>
<p>Johannes, Krebs, Arthur, Morrigan, Thompson, Carter, Morris. Between them, two hundred and fifteen years of service, between them seven rifles, seven parachutes, seven shots of rum, between them one atomic bomb.</p>
<p>They drink counterclockwise, starting at Morris. He takes his shot and slides on his helmet, baggy eyes hidden beneath black tint.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Six.</span></p>
<p>The chaplain intones their last rites. Carter feels holy water flick against his brow. He takes his shot.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Five.</span></p>
<p>The C-23 Sherpa hits turbulence and the airfoil shudders down to the rivets. They are about to enter the drop zone. Thompson takes his shot.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Four.</span></p>
<p>Morrigan is silent, the joker finally mute. She takes her shot, and doesn't even bother complaining about the taste.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Three.</span></p>
<p>Arthur tucks an old photo into his breastpocket. The kids are graduated, the wife dead. No one left to worry, no one left to mourn. He takes his shot.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Two.</span></p>
<p>Krebs stares at the glass in his hand. Drinking the rum breaks a twenty-five year sober streak. Doesn't matter now. Shot.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">One.</span></p>
<p>Johannes should say something. Encouragement, a sermon, gallows humor, anything. The team lead just takes his shot, and buckles the atomic bomb to his belt.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Zero.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<p><span style="color: black">Are we all in great confusion, do we know the time or hour</span><br/>
<span style="color: black">When a terrible explosion may ring down upon our land</span></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>The door whines open. They are 400 feet up, banking above slate waters that froth and foam, crashing against obsidian shores. The Site squats on the coast, a behemoth crustacean clinging to the cliff-side, wounded, spitting smoke and soot into the sapphire sky.</p>
<p>A sub-megaton bomb here will irrevocably contaminate the water-table for the entire basin, the coastline for further, and the land itself for decades. The Site is upwind of a fishing port, population 33,000.</p>
<p>There's no such thing as a tactical nuke, not really. You can't forge a hammer back into a scalpel.</p>
<p>God, but the thing is heavy. It weighs between his legs, neatly sheathed in black nylon, swaying in the straps as he waddles his way to ready position. It feels heavier than it should, heavier by far than the dummy-weight they ran in training all those years ago. Or maybe he's just getting older.</p>
<p>He clips his lead to the static line.</p>
<p>Red light flashes on. They jump into LALO. One by one, dark spots in the sky like raindrops from an ashcloud. Static line rips through D-bag, parachutes blooming, one two three four five six seven, aude maiora.</p>
<p>Seven puffy clouds of cotton descend from the sky, taiga and shrubbery and old shredded meniscuses cushion the shock of the landing.</p>
<p>The great steel gates of the Site are torn open and hang ajar, shuttle bus overturned and set aflame in the parking lot. Krebs, Morrigan, Thompson and Carter run a sweep, while Johannes and Morris arm the detonator. Arthur sets his roost, scope glinting.</p>
<p>STF-15 prepares for nuclear fire.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<p><span style="color: black">There is one way to escape</span><br/>
<span style="color: black">Be prepared to meet the Lord</span></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>The XM159 SADM is a 60-pound egg of aluminum and fiberglass, cradling double the power of a Little Boy in two radio-isotopic cores a bit larger than a fist. The ADM is clean, as clean as a dirty bomb can be. No use for any fallout, at least on this mission. Just the initial blast to erase the Site's existence from the face of the earth and the EMP to erase any surviving data for good measure.</p>
<p>The timing doesn't allow for a safe detonation. They aren't planning on it.</p>
<p>Faded phosphor dials glow faintly in the afternoon twilight as the northern sun plunges below the horizon, unwilling to witness the dawning of a new star.</p>
<p>Morris slots in the fuses, and cranks the timer, the green digits grin back. <em>2:30</em>. Carter cocks his head. There's a crunch of shattered glass.</p>
<p>Johannes turns the key and the timer begins to click down. <em>2:29</em>.</p>
<p>A balloon pops, somewhere in the distance.</p>
<p>A 5.56 x 45mm round from a MK 12 SPR bores through Carter's cerebellum and ricochets off the tarmac. The firefight is blazing before his body hits the ground.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Six.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<p><span style="color: black">He will surely stand beside and you'll never taste of death</span><br/>
<span style="color: black">For your soul will fly to safety and eternal peace and rest</span></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>They are standing on a nuclear bomb.</p>
<p><em>2:20</em>.</p>
<p>The bomb was supposed to detonate. They are meant to already be ash, drifting on radioactive thermals.</p>
<p><em>2:15</em>.</p>
<p>Bullets impinge off cover. A balaclava-wearing shadow falls from a window, riddled with 7.62 NATO.</p>
<p>Contingency failure. The keys were never turned.</p>
<p><em>2:00</em>.</p>
<p>SEAL Team Six advances on STF-15 in Vic formation. The Pirate Gun sings in 46mm, and Morrigan evaporates behind cover under a hail of shrapnel and debris.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Five.</span></p>
<p>They are the contingency to the contingency. Relics from the Cold War, deploying in ragged surplus for a battle nobody ever thought they would fight.</p>
<p><em>1:30</em>.</p>
<p><a href="/fallout">Something has gone very wrong.</a> Contact with sites worldwide has been cut. A rogue superpower turning all the lights off and cleaning up shop. Krebs drops an empty mag and pulls his service pistol, pivoting out of cover to perform a long-range tracheotomy via parabellum round on the black ops point man. An eye foggy with the onset of cataracts is excavated and gray matter exposed to air for his troubles.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Four.</span></p>
<p>The phosphor paint on the dials is chipped, the gearings on the mechanical timer rusted and cracked. The ADMs were artifacts pilfered from long-term deep storage. Another broken arrow from an emptying quiver. Thompson manages to drop two before a grenade rolls gently along the ground and comes to a rest against his boot.</p>
<p><span style="color: red">Three.</span></p>
<p>SPC Myron Downes stares through thousand-dollar thermals at the flashes in the smoke. There's a pop, and a crack, and his spotter crumples, blood and viscera splattering the side of his head. The JSOC vet doesn't flinch. Muzzle flash. The Barrett M82A1 swivels, correcting for lead, range, staring down the scope of a M40A1 first blooded in a steaming swamp south of Mekong.</p>
<p>Muzzle flash.</p>
<p><em>30 seconds.</em></p>
<p><span style="color: red">Two.</span></p>
<p><em>-one last job. It was always those that got you. Always those that-</em></p>
<p>Morris clutches at his side, breath coming in rattling gasps. His glove comes away soaked- he pulls it off with his teeth.</p>
<p>He lies against the wall, legs folded neatly beneath him, oddly graceful, firing in short, controlled bursts. There’s a scarlet puddle spreading against the concrete but the rhythm is as perfect now as it was fifteen years ago, that day at the range dead-Johannes clapped him on the shoulder and pressed a specimen of some long-extinct brand of budweiser into his hand, and god they never made those things right anymore, and god his fingers are shaking and</p>
<p><em>The wire slips neatly into place in a loop of folded bronze taut against the firing pin, textbook, picture perfect, excepting the bloodstains.</em></p>
<p>He’s about to die. It’s really not all that bad, he thinks, not bad at all, hell, he’s had enough practice at it-</p>
<p><span style="color: red">One.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AojCqHwsbX0">Will you shout or will you cry when the fire rains from on high?</a><br/>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AojCqHwsbX0">Are you ready for that great atomic power?</a></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p><span style="color: red">Zero.</span></p>
<hr/>
</div></body></html> |
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:foxtrot">:scp-wiki:theme:foxtrot</a>]]
[[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a>
text= Between them, two hundred and fifteen years of service, between them seven rifles, seven parachutes, seven shots of rum, between them one atomic bomb.
]]
[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=--
|name=Anorrack and Intercedent]]
**GREENLIGHT**
**Authors:** [[*user Anorrack]] and [[*user Intercedent]]
(1194 words)
**Other Works:**
**[[[Dead Man Walking]]]:** In the finale to DEAD RECKONING, Quinn Law and the UIU race against time to stop the Lighthouse Mafia from staging the largest breakout in Paramax history. By Anorrack
**[[[STRIKEFALL]]]:** //Strike Team Ivory Dagger tears into existence amidst a gentle misting of frozen elephant blood half a kilometer above the acropolis. There is a statistically significant amount of turbulence.// By Intercedent
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]]
There were seven of them.
##red|Seven.##
Johannes, Krebs, Arthur, Morrigan, Thompson, Carter, Morris. Between them, two hundred and fifteen years of service, between them seven rifles, seven parachutes, seven shots of rum, between them one atomic bomb.
They drink counterclockwise, starting at Morris. He takes his shot and slides on his helmet, baggy eyes hidden beneath black tint.
##red|Six.##
The chaplain intones their last rites. Carter feels holy water flick against his brow. He takes his shot.
##red|Five.##
The C-23 Sherpa hits turbulence and the airfoil shudders down to the rivets. They are about to enter the drop zone. Thompson takes his shot.
##red|Four.##
Morrigan is silent, the joker finally mute. She takes her shot, and doesn't even bother complaining about the taste.
##red|Three.##
Arthur tucks an old photo into his breastpocket. The kids are graduated, the wife dead. No one left to worry, no one left to mourn. He takes his shot.
##red|Two.##
Krebs stares at the glass in his hand. Drinking the rum breaks a twenty-five year sober streak. Doesn't matter now. Shot.
##red|One.##
Johannes should say something. Encouragement, a sermon, gallows humor, anything. The team lead just takes his shot, and buckles the atomic bomb to his belt.
##red|Zero.##
[[=]]
> ##black|Are we all in great confusion, do we know the time or hour##
> ##black|When a terrible explosion may ring down upon our land ##
[[/=]]
The door whines open. They are 400 feet up, banking above slate waters that froth and foam, crashing against obsidian shores. The Site squats on the coast, a behemoth crustacean clinging to the cliff-side, wounded, spitting smoke and soot into the sapphire sky.
A sub-megaton bomb here will irrevocably contaminate the water-table for the entire basin, the coastline for further, and the land itself for decades. The Site is upwind of a fishing port, population 33,000.
There's no such thing as a tactical nuke, not really. You can't forge a hammer back into a scalpel.
God, but the thing is heavy. It weighs between his legs, neatly sheathed in black nylon, swaying in the straps as he waddles his way to ready position. It feels heavier than it should, heavier by far than the dummy-weight they ran in training all those years ago. Or maybe he's just getting older.
He clips his lead to the static line.
[[=image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/greenlight/greenlight width="60%";]]
Red light flashes on. They jump into LALO. One by one, dark spots in the sky like raindrops from an ashcloud. Static line rips through D-bag, parachutes blooming, one two three four five six seven, aude maiora.
Seven puffy clouds of cotton descend from the sky, taiga and shrubbery and old shredded meniscuses cushion the shock of the landing.
The great steel gates of the Site are torn open and hang ajar, shuttle bus overturned and set aflame in the parking lot. Krebs, Morrigan, Thompson and Carter run a sweep, while Johannes and Morris arm the detonator. Arthur sets his roost, scope glinting.
STF-15 prepares for nuclear fire.
[[=]]
> ##black|There is one way to escape##
> ##black|Be prepared to meet the Lord##
[[/=]]
The XM159 SADM is a 60-pound egg of aluminum and fiberglass, cradling double the power of a Little Boy in two radio-isotopic cores a bit larger than a fist. The ADM is clean, as clean as a dirty bomb can be. No use for any fallout, at least on this mission. Just the initial blast to erase the Site's existence from the face of the earth and the EMP to erase any surviving data for good measure.
The timing doesn't allow for a safe detonation. They aren't planning on it.
Faded phosphor dials glow faintly in the afternoon twilight as the northern sun plunges below the horizon, unwilling to witness the dawning of a new star.
Morris slots in the fuses, and cranks the timer, the green digits grin back. //2:30//. Carter cocks his head. There's a crunch of shattered glass.
Johannes turns the key and the timer begins to click down. //2:29//.
A balloon pops, somewhere in the distance.
A 5.56 x 45mm round from a MK 12 SPR bores through Carter's cerebellum and ricochets off the tarmac. The firefight is blazing before his body hits the ground.
##red|Six.##
[[=]]
> ##black|He will surely stand beside and you'll never taste of death##
> ##black|For your soul will fly to safety and eternal peace and rest##
[[/=]]
They are standing on a nuclear bomb.
//2:20//.
The bomb was supposed to detonate. They are meant to already be ash, drifting on radioactive thermals.
//2:15//.
Bullets impinge off cover. A balaclava-wearing shadow falls from a window, riddled with 7.62 NATO.
Contingency failure. The keys were never turned.
//2:00//.
SEAL Team Six advances on STF-15 in Vic formation. The Pirate Gun sings in 46mm, and Morrigan evaporates behind cover under a hail of shrapnel and debris.
##red|Five.##
They are the contingency to the contingency. Relics from the Cold War, deploying in ragged surplus for a battle nobody ever thought they would fight.
//1:30//.
[[[fallout|Something has gone very wrong.]]] Contact with sites worldwide has been cut. A rogue superpower turning all the lights off and cleaning up shop. Krebs drops an empty mag and pulls his service pistol, pivoting out of cover to perform a long-range tracheotomy via parabellum round on the black ops point man. An eye foggy with the onset of cataracts is excavated and gray matter exposed to air for his troubles.
##red|Four.##
The phosphor paint on the dials is chipped, the gearings on the mechanical timer rusted and cracked. The ADMs were artifacts pilfered from long-term deep storage. Another broken arrow from an emptying quiver. Thompson manages to drop two before a grenade rolls gently along the ground and comes to a rest against his boot.
##red|Three.##
SPC Myron Downes stares through thousand-dollar thermals at the flashes in the smoke. There's a pop, and a crack, and his spotter crumples, blood and viscera splattering the side of his head. The JSOC vet doesn't flinch. Muzzle flash. The Barrett M82A1 swivels, correcting for lead, range, staring down the scope of a M40A1 first blooded in a steaming swamp south of Mekong.
Muzzle flash.
//30 seconds.//
##red|Two.##
//-one last job. It was always those that got you. Always those that-//
Morris clutches at his side, breath coming in rattling gasps. His glove comes away soaked- he pulls it off with his teeth.
He lies against the wall, legs folded neatly beneath him, oddly graceful, firing in short, controlled bursts. There’s a scarlet puddle spreading against the concrete but the rhythm is as perfect now as it was fifteen years ago, that day at the range dead-Johannes clapped him on the shoulder and pressed a specimen of some long-extinct brand of budweiser into his hand, and god they never made those things right anymore, and god his fingers are shaking and
//The wire slips neatly into place in a loop of folded bronze taut against the firing pin, textbook, picture perfect, excepting the bloodstains.//
He’s about to die. It’s really not all that bad, he thinks, not bad at all, hell, he’s had enough practice at it-
##red|One.##
[[=]]
> [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AojCqHwsbX0 Will you shout or will you cry when the fire rains from on high?]
> [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AojCqHwsbX0 Are you ready for that great atomic power?]
[[/=]]
##red|Zero.##
------
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| 2025-01-06T07:03:00 | [
"action",
"bleak",
"military-fiction",
"pentagram",
"tale"
] | GREENLIGHT - SCP Foundation | 20 | [
"dead-man-walking",
"strikefall",
"fallout"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed",
"shortest-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458187925 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/greenlight |
|
launched-into-parenthood | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<h2 id="toc0"><span>Saved Record of SCP-1213 Events on 24/12/2024</span></h2>
<div class="dyna-email-container">
<div class="dyna-email">
<div class="header-box">
<div class="top-left-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-box">From:</div>
<div class="to-box">To:</div>
<div class="cc-box [email protected]">CC:</div>
<div class="subject-box">Subject:</div>
</div>
<div class="top-middle-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="to-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="cc-text-box [email protected]"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="subject-text-box">Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-box">
<hr/>
<p>Hi Jim,</p>
<p>On December 24th, 2024, SCP-1213 was found to have spontaneously produced a smaller version of itself in its hay-lined storage crate within Sector-25. The mode through which this instance was produced is unknown as the entity was currently not being observed, and was only noticed during routine inspection for containment purposes hours later. The new SCP-1213-1 instance was removed from the containment vessel at once and placed in the care of Dr. ██████ for study.</p>
<p>As is typical for Foundation sites during times of increased holiday energy, it is believed that this event is an example of immaculate conception, as SCP-1213 has not had access to other members of its original dimension in several years. However, Dr. ██████ has suggested that this event may be completely natural, pointing out the lack of consensus on SCP-1213's reproductive biology. Further work is required before a full determination is made. However, the following addition to SCP-1213’s file is requested in the meantime:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Description of SCP-1213-1:</strong> The recently observed SCP-1213-1 instance is a wooden and rubber catapult of similar design to the larger SCP-1213, although much smaller. Of note, the design of the SCP-1213 instance uses rubber bands as a launching mechanism in place of the steel fittings on SCP-1213, taking an appropriate form for its small size. As a result, the SCP-1213-1 instance has been placed into the care of Sector-25 researchers in order to conduct a longitudinal growth study of the entity to determine more about the biology of the SCP-1213 organism.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="footer-box">
<div class="bottom-left-box">
<div class="name-box">Dr. Donatello ██████</div>
<div class="title-box">Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)</div>
<div class="sign-off-box">Secure, Contain, Protect</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="attachment-box">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">*Open email attachment*</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="dyna-email-container">
<div class="dyna-email">
<div class="header-box">
<div class="top-left-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-box">From:</div>
<div class="to-box">To:</div>
<div class="cc-box [email protected]">CC:</div>
<div class="subject-box">Subject:</div>
</div>
<div class="top-middle-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="to-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="cc-text-box [email protected]"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="subject-text-box">Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-box">
<hr/>
<p>Sounds good. I have assigned Dr. Chan to make any further updates as he is handling other holiday phenomena at this time. Please send any results of testing through him with me as a Cc recipient going forward.</p>
-J</div>
<div class="footer-box">
<div class="bottom-left-box">
<div class="name-box">Dr. James Torres</div>
<div class="title-box">Foundation Researcher and Director of Sector 25</div>
<div class="sign-off-box">Secure, Contain, Protect</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="dyna-email-container">
<div class="dyna-email">
<div class="header-box">
<div class="top-left-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-box">From:</div>
<div class="to-box">To:</div>
<div class="cc-box [email protected]">CC:</div>
<div class="subject-box">Subject:</div>
</div>
<div class="top-middle-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="to-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="cc-text-box [email protected]"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="subject-text-box">Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-box">
<hr/>
<p>Hello Dr. Chan,</p>
<p>I have noticed the requested edits have not been made to the SCP-1213 file yet. When you do get to them, please also add the following addenda:</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<p><strong>Addendum ##:</strong><br/>
Results of Test #36</p>
<hr/>
<p>SCP-1213 and SCP-1213-1 were placed in adjacent rooms during routine sample gathering and testing. During the procedure, junior researchers Smith and MacCallum both noted that each entity displayed unusually high levels of energy at identical times when placed near the connecting wall together. How they knew that the other was present on the other side of the wall is yet to be determined.</p>
Descriptions of Observed Behaviour Changes:<br/>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>Time</td>
<td>SCP-1213</td>
<td>SCP-1213-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2:35</td>
<td>Slight arm movement, side-to-side rocking</td>
<td>Jittering arm movement</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3:10</td>
<td>Rapid arm movement, “bouncing” rope</td>
<td>Rapid arm movement, jittering frame</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3:20</td>
<td>Rapid arm movement, “bouncing” rope, wheels spinning in place</td>
<td>Rapid arm movement, jittering frame</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<div class="footer-box">
<div class="bottom-left-box">
<div class="name-box">Dr. Donatello ██████</div>
<div class="title-box">Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)</div>
<div class="sign-off-box">Secure, Contain, Protect</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="from-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
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<div class="cc-text-box [email protected]"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="subject-text-box">Re:Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-box">
<hr/>
<p>Hello Dr. ██████,</p>
<p>Unfortunately, your request is still pending due to a lack of rationale for inclusion of this information in the SCP-1213 file rather than creation of a separate file entirely. New combined-designation requirements are either that the entities are either contained together, containment of one requires containment of the other, or by director approval.</p>
<p>Please send me either approval from the Sector-25 director or evidence of a reason for combined-containment.</p>
Warm regards,<br/>
Dr. Rebecca Chan</div>
<div class="footer-box">
<div class="bottom-left-box">
<div class="name-box">Dr. Rebecca Chan</div>
<div class="title-box">Foundation Researcher</div>
<div class="sign-off-box">Secure, Contain, Protect</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="dyna-email-container">
<div class="dyna-email">
<div class="header-box">
<div class="top-left-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-box">From:</div>
<div class="to-box">To:</div>
<div class="cc-box [email protected]">CC:</div>
<div class="subject-box">Subject:</div>
</div>
<div class="top-middle-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="to-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="cc-text-box [email protected]"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="subject-text-box">Re:Re:Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-box">
<hr/>
<p>Hello Dr. Chan,</p>
<p>Jim is currently on vacation so I will forward you the results of putting them together.</p>
Thanks.</div>
<div class="footer-box">
<div class="bottom-left-box">
<div class="name-box">Dr. Donatello ██████</div>
<div class="title-box">Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)</div>
<div class="sign-off-box">Secure, Contain, Protect</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="dyna-email-container">
<div class="dyna-email">
<div class="header-box">
<div class="top-left-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-box">From:</div>
<div class="to-box">To:</div>
<div class="cc-box [email protected]">CC:</div>
<div class="subject-box">Subject:</div>
</div>
<div class="top-middle-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="to-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="cc-text-box [email protected]"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="subject-text-box">Re:Re:Re:Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-box">
<hr/>
Please disregard all prior requests to update the SCP-1213 file with information about SCP-1213-1…</div>
<div class="footer-box">
<div class="bottom-left-box">
<div class="name-box">Dr. Donatello ██████</div>
<div class="title-box">Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)</div>
<div class="sign-off-box">Secure, Contain, Protect</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="dyna-email-container">
<div class="dyna-email">
<div class="header-box">
<div class="top-left-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-box">From:</div>
<div class="to-box">To:</div>
<div class="cc-box [email protected]">CC:</div>
<div class="subject-box">Subject:</div>
</div>
<div class="top-middle-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="to-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="cc-text-box [email protected]"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="subject-text-box">Re:Re:Re:Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-box">
<hr/>
<p>You think?</p>
<p>See me first thing in my office on Monday to discuss why we don’t rush testing procedures.</p>
-Jim</div>
<div class="footer-box">
<div class="bottom-left-box">
<div class="name-box">Dr. James Torres</div>
<div class="title-box">Foundation Researcher and Director of Sector 25</div>
<div class="sign-off-box">Secure, Contain, Protect</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="toc1"><span>Appended Record Outside of Primary Email Chain</span></h2>
<div class="dyna-email-container">
<div class="dyna-email">
<div class="header-box">
<div class="top-left-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-box">From:</div>
<div class="to-box">To:</div>
<div class="cc-box [email protected]">CC:</div>
<div class="subject-box">Subject:</div>
</div>
<div class="top-middle-box [email protected]">
<div class="from-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="to-name-box"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected], [email protected]</span></div>
<div class="cc-text-box [email protected]"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></div>
<div class="subject-text-box">Recording from December 24 2024 at 10:12-10:15 in Sector-25 Testing Room 13</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="content-box">
<hr/>
<p>This is an automated message from the camera system located in Sector-25 Testing Room 13. Do not reply to this message.</p>
Please find your complete recording attached.</div>
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<div class="name-box">Dr. Donatello ██████</div>
<div class="title-box">Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)</div>
<div class="sign-off-box">Secure, Contain, Protect</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="attachment-box">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">*Open email attachment*</a></div>
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<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close</a></div>
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<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div>
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<p>Cite this page as:</p>
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<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/launched-into-parenthood">Launched Into Parenthood</a>" by Pedagon, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/launched-into-parenthood">https://scpwiki.com/launched-into-parenthood</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> 51649200148_224499baae_b.jpg<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> wbaiv on openverse<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA-2.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://openverse.org/image/08127630-9665-4863-9bd7-ce5189e8d2e6?q=scientist&p=74">https://openverse.org/image/08127630-9665-4863-9bd7-ce5189e8d2e6?q=scientist&p=74</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filenames:</strong> Jean_Schaffer.jpg<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Elliot735P on wikimedia commons<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean_Schaffer.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean_Schaffer.jpg</a></p>
</blockquote>
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</div></body></html> |
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:xmas">:scp-wiki:theme:xmas</a>
|xmas-header= --]
|xmas-snow= --]]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> code=--]]
[[>]]
[[module rate]]
[[/>]]
++ Saved Record of SCP-1213 Events on 24/12/2024
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> start=--
|from= [email protected]
|to= [email protected]
|cc= [email protected]
|subject= Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File
]]
Hi Jim,
On December 24th, 2024, SCP-1213 was found to have spontaneously produced a smaller version of itself in its hay-lined storage crate within Sector-25. The mode through which this instance was produced is unknown as the entity was currently not being observed, and was only noticed during routine inspection for containment purposes hours later. The new SCP-1213-1 instance was removed from the containment vessel at once and placed in the care of Dr. ██████ for study.
As is typical for Foundation sites during times of increased holiday energy, it is believed that this event is an example of immaculate conception, as SCP-1213 has not had access to other members of its original dimension in several years. However, Dr. ██████ has suggested that this event may be completely natural, pointing out the lack of consensus on SCP-1213's reproductive biology. Further work is required before a full determination is made. However, the following addition to SCP-1213’s file is requested in the meantime:
> **Description of SCP-1213-1:** The recently observed SCP-1213-1 instance is a wooden and rubber catapult of similar design to the larger SCP-1213, although much smaller. Of note, the design of the SCP-1213 instance uses rubber bands as a launching mechanism in place of the steel fittings on SCP-1213, taking an appropriate form for its small size. As a result, the SCP-1213-1 instance has been placed into the care of Sector-25 researchers in order to conduct a longitudinal growth study of the entity to determine more about the biology of the SCP-1213 organism.
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> attachment-end=--
|name= Dr. Donatello ██████
|title= Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)
|signoff= Secure, Contain, Protect
|signoff-icon= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dynamic-emails/Default_Profile_Icon.png
|attachment= http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/launched-into-parenthood/SCP-1213-1.jpeg
]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> start=--
|from= [email protected]
|to= [email protected]
|cc= [email protected]
|subject= Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File
]]
Sounds good. I have assigned Dr. Chan to make any further updates as he is handling other holiday phenomena at this time. Please send any results of testing through him with me as a Cc recipient going forward.
-J
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> end=--
|name= Dr. James Torres
|title= Foundation Researcher and Director of Sector 25
|signoff= Secure, Contain, Protect
|signoff-icon= http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/launched-into-parenthood/drtorres
]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> start=--
|from= [email protected]
|to= [email protected]
|cc= [email protected]
|subject= Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File
]]
Hello Dr. Chan,
I have noticed the requested edits have not been made to the SCP-1213 file yet. When you do get to them, please also add the following addenda:
[[div class="blockquote"]]
**Addendum ##:**
Results of Test #36
-----
SCP-1213 and SCP-1213-1 were placed in adjacent rooms during routine sample gathering and testing. During the procedure, junior researchers Smith and MacCallum both noted that each entity displayed unusually high levels of energy at identical times when placed near the connecting wall together. How they knew that the other was present on the other side of the wall is yet to be determined.
Descriptions of Observed Behaviour Changes:
|| Time || SCP-1213 || SCP-1213-1 ||
|| 2:35 || Slight arm movement, side-to-side rocking || Jittering arm movement ||
|| 3:10 || Rapid arm movement, “bouncing” rope || Rapid arm movement, jittering frame ||
|| 3:20 || Rapid arm movement, “bouncing” rope, wheels spinning in place || Rapid arm movement, jittering frame ||
[[/div]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> end=--
|name= Dr. Donatello ██████
|title= Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)
|signoff= Secure, Contain, Protect
|signoff-icon= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dynamic-emails/Default_Profile_Icon.png
]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> start=--
|from= [email protected]
|to= [email protected]
|cc= [email protected]
|subject= Re:Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File
]]
Hello Dr. ██████,
Unfortunately, your request is still pending due to a lack of rationale for inclusion of this information in the SCP-1213 file rather than creation of a separate file entirely. New combined-designation requirements are either that the entities are either contained together, containment of one requires containment of the other, or by director approval.
Please send me either approval from the Sector-25 director or evidence of a reason for combined-containment.
Warm regards,
Dr. Rebecca Chan
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> end=--
|name= Dr. Rebecca Chan
|title= Foundation Researcher
|signoff= Secure, Contain, Protect
|signoff-icon= http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/launched-into-parenthood/drchan
]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> start=--
|from= [email protected]
|to= [email protected]
|cc= [email protected]
|subject= Re:Re:Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File
]]
Hello Dr. Chan,
Jim is currently on vacation so I will forward you the results of putting them together.
Thanks.
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> end=--
|name= Dr. Donatello ██████
|title= Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)
|signoff= Secure, Contain, Protect
|signoff-icon= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dynamic-emails/Default_Profile_Icon.png
]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> start=--
|from= [email protected]
|to= [email protected]
|cc= [email protected]
|subject= Re:Re:Re:Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File
]]
Please disregard all prior requests to update the SCP-1213 file with information about SCP-1213-1…
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> end=--
|name= Dr. Donatello ██████
|title= Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)
|signoff= Secure, Contain, Protect
|signoff-icon= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dynamic-emails/Default_Profile_Icon.png
]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> start=--
|from= [email protected]
|to= [email protected]
|cc= [email protected]
|subject= Re:Re:Re:Re:Re: Request of Addenda to be added to the SCP-1213 File
]]
You think?
See me first thing in my office on Monday to discuss why we don’t rush testing procedures.
-Jim
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> end=--
|name= Dr. James Torres
|title= Foundation Researcher and Director of Sector 25
|signoff= Secure, Contain, Protect
|signoff-icon= http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/launched-into-parenthood/drtorres
]]
++ Appended Record Outside of Primary Email Chain
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> start=--
|from= [email protected]
|to= [email protected], [email protected]
|cc= [email protected]
|subject= Recording from December 24 2024 at 10:12-10:15 in Sector-25 Testing Room 13
]]
This is an automated message from the camera system located in Sector-25 Testing Room 13. Do not reply to this message.
Please find your complete recording attached.
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> attachment-flex-start=--
|name= Dr. Donatello ██████
|title= Foundation Researcher (Sector-25)
|signoff= Secure, Contain, Protect
|signoff-icon= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dynamic-emails/Default_Profile_Icon.png
]]
[[html]]
<video style="width:100%;height:100%" controls>
<source src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/launched-into-parenthood/SCPae24_Hikarinu.mov" type="video/mp4">
</video>
[[/html]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:dynamic-emails">:scp-wiki:component:dynamic-emails</a> attachment-flex-end=--]]
[[footnoteblock]]
[[=]]
[[div class="footer-wikiwalk-nav"]]
<< [[[SCP-1213]]] | Launched Into Parenthood | [[[Dr Dagons Curriculum Vitae]]] >>
[[/div]]
[[/=]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> |author=Pedagon]]
=====
> **Filename:** 51649200148_224499baae_b.jpg
> **Author:** wbaiv on openverse
> **License:** CC-BY-SA-2.0
> **Source Link:** https://openverse.org/image/08127630-9665-4863-9bd7-ce5189e8d2e6?q=scientist&p=74
=====
> **Filenames:** Jean_Schaffer.jpg
> **Author:** Elliot735P on wikimedia commons
> **License:** ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL
> **Source Link:** https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean_Schaffer.jpg
=====
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-01T00:37:00 | [
"art-exchange",
"tale",
"video"
] | Launched Into Parenthood - SCP Foundation | 12 | [
"scp-1213",
"dr-dagons-curriculum-vitae",
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"shortest-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458161734 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/launched-into-parenthood |
|
lazos | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p>Some time has passed since the last time he visited his colleagues. Between work, work and… <em>work</em>, he didn’t have much time left in the week. How much of that was true and how much of it was a bad excuse in order to nor confront reality, he didn’t even know, but it didn’t really matter, because ever since he came back from Afghanistan, every year on the exact same day, Ibarra took the time to visit his friends.</p>
<img alt="lazos1.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/lazos/lazos1.jpg"/>
<p>The agent stared at the piece of stone in front of him with an expression that was difficult to read. This was the last one he was going to visit this morning. The one he saved for last every year. He kneeled in front of it, noticing a bouquet of flowers he hadn’t left. He faintly smiled at that.</p>
<p>"I see they are still visiting you, huh?" He talked to the tomb. He paused, the subtle whistle of the light morning breeze being the only sound in the place. It was overwhelming.</p>
<p>"Your little sister must be all grown… How old is she turning this year? Seventeen? Eighteen? Mich told me she was thinking of studying photography." His voice began to fade alongside his smile.</p>
<p>"You’d be… proud of her." The expression of the agent turned hollow and distant. He observed the tombstone in silence, clenching his teeth and frowning.</p>
<p>Every year was the same. He avoided the topic, he tried to face it on November 11th, he talked to some pieces of stone, and he left more hollow than he arrived. It infuriated him. With a growl and a scowl, the man balled his fist with force and hit the grass, looking away from the tombstone. He was mad. At the circumstances, at the world, at God, even. But, above all, at himself. Because of him, the mothers of his friends were left without sons. Because of him, his friend wouldn’t see his sister grow. Because of him, there were less good men in the world. Simple, <em>he didn’t do enough.</em></p>
<p>Fragments of the incident were repeated in his mind over and over again like a movie, always thinking how he could have done things differently. He changed what happened in his memory, took a different step, took a different path. But even in every scenario he made up, he couldn’t escape the blood, nor the screams.</p>
<p>His head started to feel heavy and unstable, leaving him dizzy.</p>
<p>Ibarra closed his eyes, trying to focus. It didn’t matter. He didn’t do things differently, and that was it. Now he had to deal with the consequences, even if he didn’t know how to.</p>
<p>His hands and lips trembled, his breathing started to accelerate.</p>
<p>When he returned from Afghanistan and got offered a job at the Foundation he didn’t think twice, he needed some kind of redemption for his acts, and the job description fit the bill. But above all, he needed to <em>get away.</em> His position as an agent and emergency doctor forced him to move constantly. He would never have permanent housing, and he never had a fixed team. His work was getting showing up, helping, and then disengaging completely, then repeat the next week. And that worked for him. No time to form bonds meant he didn’t have to add names to the list of visitors. He would never again be responsible for…</p>
<p>Ibarra started to feel every beat of his heart thump in his ears. He felt his throat closing, at the same time that his erratic and irregular heartbeats caused him a strong and sudden sensation of nausea.</p>
<p>The agent raised his head slightly, reading the epitaph on the tombstone.</p>
<p><em>The risk of losing whom you love is a small price to pay to have the opportunity to help them.</em></p>
<p>The knot in his throat and chest tightened, and he felt like the world was about to crush him with invisible walls.</p>
<p>“Figured I’d find you here.”</p>
<p>The agent standing in front of the tomb turned his face around suddenly, the unexpected voice snapped him out of his thoughts and his mental turmoil. Swallowing his emotions, he placed his narrow sunglasses to hide the storm that was about to unfold. The owner of the voice was a tattooed man with long hair tied in a messy ponytail, a bit taller than Ibarra and with an Argentinian accent.</p>
<p>Ibarra offered a light smile as a greeting.</p>
<p>“It’s good to see you, Steffano.”</p>
<p>Steffano approached ibarra with a calm gesture, stopping at his side and in front of the tombstone. An elegant, grey formal vest overlayed with a black shirt matched a black pair of trousers, accompanied vy a pair of shoes that oscillated between a sporty and formal look. The agent's sleeves were rolled up, leaving a contrast between the formal and the aggressiveness that his tattoos implicitly radiated.</p>
<p>In between his hands he brought a pair of folders, light in color, coated in plastic.</p>
<p>"Am I interrupting?" Steffano asked with caution "Finding you outside working hours was more difficult than I expected.”</p>
<p>The dark-skinned man sighed, observing with certain regret the tombstone in front of him, trying to clear the thoughts that made noise inside of his head. Eventually, he shook his head and stood up</p>
<p>"Nah, I was just finishing.”</p>
<p>Steffano stood still in silence for a second alongside Ibarra. He never knew the soldier in the tombstone, but he knew they were someone important to his friend, so the least he could do was show some empathy and respect. He looked Ibarra out of the corner of his eye, noticing the clear tension in his hands and shoulders, speaking:</p>
<p>"You can’t keep blaming yourself for this kind of stuff.”</p>
<p>Ibarra smiled slightly, his gaze fixed on the tombstone.</p>
<p>"I know.”</p>
<p>“But you keep doing so.”</p>
<p>"I know.”</p>
<p>“Why?”</p>
<p>Ibarra took a moment to reply.</p>
<hr/>
<p><em>Because I could’ve done more. Because I should’ve done more. Because I couldn’t help them. Because I had to help them. Because they had a family. Because they didn’t deserve to die. Because they should’ve been saved. Because I should’ve died with them.</em></p>
<hr/>
<p>“I don’t know.”</p>
<p>Steffano pursed his lips lightly and nodded in an understanding gesture to his friend, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.</p>
<p>"Yeah, I get you.”</p>
<p>Ibarra directed his gaze towards his teammate, feeling for just a brief second how the walls that tightened against him eased a bit. He knew that he understood, and that’s why he didn’t ask more at the moment.</p>
<p>“<em>Pero bueno,</em> are you visiting anyone, Steffano?”</p>
<p>Steffano let out a slight chuckle, shaking his head.</p>
<p>“No, mine aren’t here. I was looking for you, actually.”</p>
<p>Ibarra arched a brow, intrigued. He pointed to the folders that Steffano carried with a nod.</p>
<p>"Does it have anything to do with the folders you have there? Don’t tell me you came here to give me paperwork.”</p>
<p>Steffano smirked, extending the folder towards Ibarra so he would take it.</p>
<p>"Perhaps.”</p>
<p>Ibarra adjusted his glasses and took the folders, opening them. They contained a multitude of documents: budget estimates, agent's profiles, authorization letters, among other files. The documentation looked a lot like what's needed to authorize a new unit. The dark-skinned man looked at his friend over his glasses, waiting for him to tell him more while he reviewed in detail the information.</p>
<p>"I’m building a team. I want my <em>own</em> squadron to play by my <em>own</em> rules, I feel that part of being stuck on the other side of the veil means cutting off your legs, if that makes any sense. I’ve decided that if I’m going to work for these people and their purposes, might as well do it in the way I deem correct. We are going to trip over and over again as we manage to reach something similar to stability, but until then I want my people near me. People I believe are worth having around.”</p>
<p>Ibarra looked at his friend with certain doubt.</p>
<p>"You don’t sound too sure of all of this. You usually are more painstaking, Steffano. This is the first time since we’ve met that you try to make something in a hasty manner, I don’t really know how to react.”</p>
<p>"Maybe, the only thing I can admit is that you’re right, it’s something new. Neither you, nor me are used to work other way that isn’t a fucking chain of command formed by a pretentious general that has been in power behind a desk for 40 years, without getting a single damned scratch. And you know exactly what I’m talking about.”</p>
<p>Ibarra laughed with certain bitterness towards Steffano’s comment, nodding. "I guess you’re right.” His expression changed when his gaze stopped for a second in the profile of an agent that caught his attention.</p>
<p>"This boy…”</p>
<p>"Is this the one you’ve been training personally?”</p>
<p>Steffano smirked when he saw who Ibarra was pointing at.</p>
<p>“That’s right. Víctor Penz,” Steffano sighed. "The kid is quite the case, but he has potential. <em>A lot</em> of potential.”</p>
<p>"It’s… Just a kid.” There was a certain worry in the agent’s tone. “There must be something in him for you to even consider having him around. He looks like a rookie, a problematic brat without any valid records.” Ibarra searched between Víctor’s file over and over again, as if he was trying to gather some secret information in between the papers.</p>
<p>"He has it. Trust me. In fact, I was thinking of assigning him to an operation soon. I’m not sure what kind of operation, but I’d like for him to grow used to the kind of shit one can see in this weird world. The creatures and all that shit. And when that happens, you’ll be there to see it, sooner or later.”</p>
<p>"My God, Steffano,” The agent was conflicted by the idea. “I don't know if it's a very good idea or if age and field work are driving you crazy, and it seems that you want to drive the kid crazy on the way too by throwing him head-first into these things. You not working for national intelligence agencies anymore doesn’t mean you can throw away all cover and risk your personal reputation for a crazy midnight idea. I mean—”</p>
<p>The tattooed man interrupted him.</p>
<p>"Do you trust me?” Steffano looked directly into Ibarra’s eyes, trying to look further from his gaze.</p>
<p>Ibarra blinked a few times, bewildered because of the question.</p>
<p>"What?”</p>
<p>"Do you trust me?”</p>
<p>"I…” Ibarra meditated for a few seconds. “Yeah, of course I trust you, dude. You’re only old and crazy, but I’ll be there when you get shot by a few dudes with no arms nor face.” Ibarra began laughing resignedly.</p>
<p>"Fantastic. That’s all I needed.”</p>
<p>Steffano gave Ibarra a moment for him to finish looking at the documentation and processing the information.</p>
<p>"Your support in this would mean a lot, old man. I need people who are committed, capable, and whom I can trust. You are all three of those.”</p>
<p>Ibarra sighed deeply. It wasn’t a bad idea. A unit like this could be of great help for the Foundation. Most importantly, it could be of great help for <em>people</em>. A large number of losses, both civilian and from personnel in operations were due to a lack of rapid response in emergency situations. A large number of losses were due to <em>a lack of support.</em></p>
<p>But joining a unit like that would signify stability. He would no longer be sent only to isolated jobs where his role was to appear and then bid farewell. He would go back to having some type of squadron, Ibarra would have to coexist with the same people constantly. He would have to <em>take care</em> of the same people constantly. Inevitably, he would form <em>bonds</em> with those people, because he was like that, he couldn’t disconnect. And given the nature of the work, those people would be at risk of dying <em>constantly.</em></p>
<p>The agent took his eyes off the documentation that was in his hands, redirecting his sight towards the tombstone that was forgotten in the conversation until this moment. He looked at it for a few seconds, ones that felt like minutes to him. He read the name. <em>Douglas Daniels.</em></p>
<p><em>The risk of losing whom you love is a small price to pay to have the opportunity to help them.</em></p>
<p>Ibarra spoke in a serious tone, without taking his eyes off the phrase.</p>
<p>"Did you come just for work? It's not something you usually do, it's not your kind of deal."</p>
<p>"No. I came because I knew that if I found you here, you’d need a friend to keep you company.” Steffano crossed his arms slowly, not expecting a fixed answer.</p>
<p>After a couple of seconds, Ibarra sighed, decided, and looked back at Steffano.</p>
<p>With a smile on his face, and his sunglasses now hiding his watery eyes, he offered his hand in a handshake.</p>
<p>"Count me in.”</p>
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<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/lazos">Bonds</a>" by XenOGax, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/lazos">https://scpwiki.com/lazos</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> lazos1.jpg, lazos2.jpg, lazos3.jpg, lazos4.jpg<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xenogax" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7245555); return false;"><img alt="XenOGax" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7245555&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735995540" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7245555)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xenogax" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7245555); return false;">XenOGax</a></span><br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/distracciones">SCP Foundation Wiki</a></p>
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[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
Some time has passed since the last time he visited his colleagues. Between work, work and… //work//, he didn’t have much time left in the week. How much of that was true and how much of it was a bad excuse in order to nor confront reality, he didn’t even know, but it didn’t really matter, because ever since he came back from Afghanistan, every year on the exact same day, Ibarra took the time to visit his friends.
[[image lazos1.jpg]]
The agent stared at the piece of stone in front of him with an expression that was difficult to read. This was the last one he was going to visit this morning. The one he saved for last every year. He kneeled in front of it, noticing a bouquet of flowers he hadn’t left. He faintly smiled at that.
"I see they are still visiting you, huh?" He talked to the tomb. He paused, the subtle whistle of the light morning breeze being the only sound in the place. It was overwhelming.
"Your little sister must be all grown… How old is she turning this year? Seventeen? Eighteen? Mich told me she was thinking of studying photography." His voice began to fade alongside his smile.
"You’d be… proud of her." The expression of the agent turned hollow and distant. He observed the tombstone in silence, clenching his teeth and frowning.
Every year was the same. He avoided the topic, he tried to face it on November 11th, he talked to some pieces of stone, and he left more hollow than he arrived. It infuriated him. With a growl and a scowl, the man balled his fist with force and hit the grass, looking away from the tombstone. He was mad. At the circumstances, at the world, at God, even. But, above all, at himself. Because of him, the mothers of his friends were left without sons. Because of him, his friend wouldn’t see his sister grow. Because of him, there were less good men in the world. Simple, //he didn’t do enough.//
Fragments of the incident were repeated in his mind over and over again like a movie, always thinking how he could have done things differently. He changed what happened in his memory, took a different step, took a different path. But even in every scenario he made up, he couldn’t escape the blood, nor the screams.
His head started to feel heavy and unstable, leaving him dizzy.
Ibarra closed his eyes, trying to focus. It didn’t matter. He didn’t do things differently, and that was it. Now he had to deal with the consequences, even if he didn’t know how to.
His hands and lips trembled, his breathing started to accelerate.
When he returned from Afghanistan and got offered a job at the Foundation he didn’t think twice, he needed some kind of redemption for his acts, and the job description fit the bill. But above all, he needed to //get away.// His position as an agent and emergency doctor forced him to move constantly. He would never have permanent housing, and he never had a fixed team. His work was getting showing up, helping, and then disengaging completely, then repeat the next week. And that worked for him. No time to form bonds meant he didn’t have to add names to the list of visitors. He would never again be responsible for…
Ibarra started to feel every beat of his heart thump in his ears. He felt his throat closing, at the same time that his erratic and irregular heartbeats caused him a strong and sudden sensation of nausea.
The agent raised his head slightly, reading the epitaph on the tombstone.
//The risk of losing whom you love is a small price to pay to have the opportunity to help them.//
The knot in his throat and chest tightened, and he felt like the world was about to crush him with invisible walls.
“Figured I’d find you here.”
[[=image lazos2.jpg]]
The agent standing in front of the tomb turned his face around suddenly, the unexpected voice snapped him out of his thoughts and his mental turmoil. Swallowing his emotions, he placed his narrow sunglasses to hide the storm that was about to unfold. The owner of the voice was a tattooed man with long hair tied in a messy ponytail, a bit taller than Ibarra and with an Argentinian accent.
Ibarra offered a light smile as a greeting.
“It’s good to see you, Steffano.”
Steffano approached ibarra with a calm gesture, stopping at his side and in front of the tombstone. An elegant, grey formal vest overlayed with a black shirt matched a black pair of trousers, accompanied vy a pair of shoes that oscillated between a sporty and formal look. The agent's sleeves were rolled up, leaving a contrast between the formal and the aggressiveness that his tattoos implicitly radiated.
In between his hands he brought a pair of folders, light in color, coated in plastic.
"Am I interrupting?" Steffano asked with caution "Finding you outside working hours was more difficult than I expected.”
The dark-skinned man sighed, observing with certain regret the tombstone in front of him, trying to clear the thoughts that made noise inside of his head. Eventually, he shook his head and stood up
"Nah, I was just finishing.”
Steffano stood still in silence for a second alongside Ibarra. He never knew the soldier in the tombstone, but he knew they were someone important to his friend, so the least he could do was show some empathy and respect. He looked Ibarra out of the corner of his eye, noticing the clear tension in his hands and shoulders, speaking:
"You can’t keep blaming yourself for this kind of stuff.”
Ibarra smiled slightly, his gaze fixed on the tombstone.
"I know.”
“But you keep doing so.”
"I know.”
“Why?”
Ibarra took a moment to reply.
------
//Because I could’ve done more. Because I should’ve done more. Because I couldn’t help them. Because I had to help them. Because they had a family. Because they didn’t deserve to die. Because they should’ve been saved. Because I should’ve died with them.//
------
“I don’t know.”
Steffano pursed his lips lightly and nodded in an understanding gesture to his friend, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Yeah, I get you.”
Ibarra directed his gaze towards his teammate, feeling for just a brief second how the walls that tightened against him eased a bit. He knew that he understood, and that’s why he didn’t ask more at the moment.
“//Pero bueno,// are you visiting anyone, Steffano?”
Steffano let out a slight chuckle, shaking his head.
“No, mine aren’t here. I was looking for you, actually.”
Ibarra arched a brow, intrigued. He pointed to the folders that Steffano carried with a nod.
"Does it have anything to do with the folders you have there? Don’t tell me you came here to give me paperwork.”
Steffano smirked, extending the folder towards Ibarra so he would take it.
"Perhaps.”
Ibarra adjusted his glasses and took the folders, opening them. They contained a multitude of documents: budget estimates, agent's profiles, authorization letters, among other files. The documentation looked a lot like what's needed to authorize a new unit. The dark-skinned man looked at his friend over his glasses, waiting for him to tell him more while he reviewed in detail the information.
"I’m building a team. I want my //own// squadron to play by my //own// rules, I feel that part of being stuck on the other side of the veil means cutting off your legs, if that makes any sense. I’ve decided that if I’m going to work for these people and their purposes, might as well do it in the way I deem correct. We are going to trip over and over again as we manage to reach something similar to stability, but until then I want my people near me. People I believe are worth having around.”
Ibarra looked at his friend with certain doubt.
"You don’t sound too sure of all of this. You usually are more painstaking, Steffano. This is the first time since we’ve met that you try to make something in a hasty manner, I don’t really know how to react.”
"Maybe, the only thing I can admit is that you’re right, it’s something new. Neither you, nor me are used to work other way that isn’t a fucking chain of command formed by a pretentious general that has been in power behind a desk for 40 years, without getting a single damned scratch. And you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Ibarra laughed with certain bitterness towards Steffano’s comment, nodding. "I guess you’re right.” His expression changed when his gaze stopped for a second in the profile of an agent that caught his attention.
"This boy…”
[[=image lazos3.jpg]]
"Is this the one you’ve been training personally?”
Steffano smirked when he saw who Ibarra was pointing at.
“That’s right. Víctor Penz,” Steffano sighed. "The kid is quite the case, but he has potential. //A lot// of potential.”
"It’s… Just a kid.” There was a certain worry in the agent’s tone. “There must be something in him for you to even consider having him around. He looks like a rookie, a problematic brat without any valid records.” Ibarra searched between Víctor’s file over and over again, as if he was trying to gather some secret information in between the papers.
"He has it. Trust me. In fact, I was thinking of assigning him to an operation soon. I’m not sure what kind of operation, but I’d like for him to grow used to the kind of shit one can see in this weird world. The creatures and all that shit. And when that happens, you’ll be there to see it, sooner or later.”
"My God, Steffano,” The agent was conflicted by the idea. “I don't know if it's a very good idea or if age and field work are driving you crazy, and it seems that you want to drive the kid crazy on the way too by throwing him head-first into these things. You not working for national intelligence agencies anymore doesn’t mean you can throw away all cover and risk your personal reputation for a crazy midnight idea. I mean--”
The tattooed man interrupted him.
"Do you trust me?” Steffano looked directly into Ibarra’s eyes, trying to look further from his gaze.
Ibarra blinked a few times, bewildered because of the question.
"What?”
"Do you trust me?”
"I…” Ibarra meditated for a few seconds. “Yeah, of course I trust you, dude. You’re only old and crazy, but I’ll be there when you get shot by a few dudes with no arms nor face.” Ibarra began laughing resignedly.
"Fantastic. That’s all I needed.”
Steffano gave Ibarra a moment for him to finish looking at the documentation and processing the information.
"Your support in this would mean a lot, old man. I need people who are committed, capable, and whom I can trust. You are all three of those.”
[[=image lazos4.jpg]]
Ibarra sighed deeply. It wasn’t a bad idea. A unit like this could be of great help for the Foundation. Most importantly, it could be of great help for //people//. A large number of losses, both civilian and from personnel in operations were due to a lack of rapid response in emergency situations. A large number of losses were due to //a lack of support.//
But joining a unit like that would signify stability. He would no longer be sent only to isolated jobs where his role was to appear and then bid farewell. He would go back to having some type of squadron, Ibarra would have to coexist with the same people constantly. He would have to //take care// of the same people constantly. Inevitably, he would form //bonds// with those people, because he was like that, he couldn’t disconnect. And given the nature of the work, those people would be at risk of dying //constantly.//
The agent took his eyes off the documentation that was in his hands, redirecting his sight towards the tombstone that was forgotten in the conversation until this moment. He looked at it for a few seconds, ones that felt like minutes to him. He read the name. //Douglas Daniels.//
//The risk of losing whom you love is a small price to pay to have the opportunity to help them.//
Ibarra spoke in a serious tone, without taking his eyes off the phrase.
"Did you come just for work? It's not something you usually do, it's not your kind of deal."
"No. I came because I knew that if I found you here, you’d need a friend to keep you company.” Steffano crossed his arms slowly, not expecting a fixed answer.
After a couple of seconds, Ibarra sighed, decided, and looked back at Steffano.
With a smile on his face, and his sunglasses now hiding his watery eyes, he offered his hand in a handshake.
"Count me in.”
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> **Filename:** lazos1.jpg, lazos2.jpg, lazos3.jpg, lazos4.jpg
> **Author:** [[*user XenOGax]]
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/distracciones SCP Foundation Wiki]
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/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
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--</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">;
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--</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">misc-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#464646</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E6283C</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-hover-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Color</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Accents</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">accent:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">;
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/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
:</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">,
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">),
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.8</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 620</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}</span></pre></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<ul class="creditRate">
<li class="rateBox folded">
<div class="rate-box-with-credit-button">
<div class="creditButton foldable-list-container">
<p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="u-credit-view">
<div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div>
<div class="modalcontainer">
<div class="modalbox">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2><span>Info</span></h2>
</div>
<hr/>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>
<div class="page">
<p><strong>2 August, 2021</strong> - <em>I think?</em><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
I’m staring at a military base with a pair of binoculars. Watching a crew of GOC types load up a series of suits of armor onto a truck. I’m here for a reason. This is the next step in our little war against the Foundation. But I find myself drifting back to a few days ago. Or what I assume was a few days ago.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
Time is hard to pay attention to in a world of endless books. You try living in an infinite library containing all books ever written or that would be written across the bleeding multiverse – whatever that is – and try keeping time.<br/>
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There ain’t no sun or moon or stars. Just books. And people fucking live here, there are whole ass communities in between the stacks. I ate ramen last night at a free-standing cart like they do in Japan, and it was situated in between sections for the occult philosophies of Alagadda and the histories of some place called Leng. You’d think an open flame would be something the librarians discouraged here, but apparently people live their whole lives in the stacks.<br/>
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Me, I’ve never been a big fan of reading. Good way to get in trouble, I’ve found. It was reading what brought me to this confluence of <a href="/nobody-likes-a-sneak">insurgency against the Foundation</a> and <a href="/nobody-s-looking-for-trouble">aiding the escape of a four-armed person</a> what <span style="text-decoration: underline;">knows</span> the unknown from the depths of Foundie prison. O5-0 is the only name they’ll give me. Which I don’t need to explain to you, isn’t a fucking name. Apparently, some big shit magic guru what helped start the Foundation then got kicked out. Basically a myth until we broke them out.<br/>
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Said four-armed myth slurped down two bowls of tonkatsu in front of me, so I’d say they’re very real. But then, no one remembers I exist after I leave their eyeline. Who am I? I’m Lou. Ms. Nobody. But then, the only people who get to read this are me, myself, and I. So why the fuck am I introducing myself? Future me reading this, you’ll have to forgive the meandering tone here. I haven’t had much time to record my thoughts and I’m trying to get into the swing of it again. Sue me.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
Back to the subject at hand, it’s fascinating to me that O5-0 – <em>seriously, that’s going to get annoying, gonna be Zero from here on out</em> – has no trouble seeing me or remembering me. Hell, they even remember my name. I didn’t think that was a thing anymore. Few years on now I’ve been a miasma of imperceptiveness, only lightening up when I concentrate. Sure, the odd duck has noticed me here or there, but I just put the whammy on em and that’s that. S’alright? S’alright.<br/>
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But this one, they know me. Sees me from across a room and waves me down. Been right disconcerting.<br/>
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Why am I going on about this? Other than tamping down on the raging imposter syndrome and churning mass of anxiety that is my life? Zero has been around me a lot lately. ‘Bout a month ago, me and these other blokes sneak into Site-01. Yeah, that Site-01. Big bad Foundation prison for everything they want even their own people to forget about. We go in for the express purpose of busting this fucker out. Turns out, they knows the Impasse and they knows what caused it. And if anyone can do something about it, it’s them. Hence why them overwatch types locked Zero up.<br/>
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So here we is, in the heart of multiversal knowledge and resistance to all things Jailer, with the Black Queen (<em>Don’t love that name, me darling. Feels a bit up your arse.</em>) and some others, and another Nobody. Oh yeah, I’m not alone. Don’t have a name for him, he don’t remember one – or so he says – but I call him Barry. Hates it, he does.<br/>
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Got plans we do. Or at least, they do. Don’t know why I’m still here. Well… that’s not expressly true. I do know why I’m still here.<br/>
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DRAMATIC MUSIC. THE SCREEN GOES DARK. THE CROWD GOES ALL GOOEY WITH ANTICIPATION. CUE THE FLASHBACK.</p>
</div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><strong>Wanderers’ Library – The Depository</strong><br/>
<em>31 July, 2021</em><br/>
<em>One week after the raid on Site-01</em></p>
</div>
<p>The Depository stood in the center of a sea of books, the stacks arrayed around it like a forest of the written word. But this building was different than most in the Library. Although a variety of building materials are used in the Library, the Depository is built of roughhewn stone like something out of time immemorial. A central courtyard surrounded by an oblong ring wall and a two-story building house the collection of magic and knowledge gained by this Alison Chao and others to be used as an asset in the Hand’s long quiet war against the Foundation. This isn’t a story about that war, not today.</p>
<p>The structure is older than most know or care to think of. It pre-dates the Eighth Archivist’s tenure. It predates the Roman Empire on most worlds. How the Black Queen came to own the building is a story in and of itself, but that is not the story we are here for today. Today is about remembrance.</p>
<p>The Black Queen stood on a balcony overlooking the modest courtyard and the surrounding area of the stacks. She looked down on nearly a thousand mages, operatives of the Serpent’s Hand, Library docents, and even the large centipede that governed the Library. They had all gathered for one thing. A funeral. She started to speak.</p>
<p>“We are not strangers to death. In our calling to fight against the oppression of the Jailers, to free magic from their iron grip, we have all lost colleagues and loved ones. I have personally lost friends and family in this conflict. But rarely do we have the wherewithal and motivation to hold a gathering such as this. In the last month, we have seen magic start to return. We know that the Jailers, against type, were the deciding factor in reversing the Impasse. We know there were teams all over the world trying to secure every advantage, totem or relic that could have made a difference. His August Personage, the Eighth Archivist, has graced us with his presence today and he tells me that members of the Jailers were even here in the Library not five weeks past, looking for a way into Alagadda.”</p>
<p>Allison Chao paused here to let that fact sink in. It was common knowledge that the multiverse over, the Foundation was not to be trusted in these sacred halls.</p>
<p>“What has not been common knowledge, is the reason behind this death of magic they have called the Impasse. The Jailers might have fought to stop the entropic destruction of all things touched by magic or the anomalous, but they had good reason to. They were covering for their own sins. The Jailers are the cause of the Impasse. Their century or more of containment has weakened the natural state of the worlds, and so almost brought about the collapse. As so many of us know, without the anomalous there is no world. And for once, the Jailers saw it the same. But their actions in light of this catastrophe were to paper over their complicity. And even so, what actions they’ve taken have only stemmed the tide. The Impasse is not reversed. The dead will not come back. The relics taken by the Jailers are being used to blunt the damage. We will see some return to the old powers, yes. But how long before it happens again? The Jailers might have changed ever so slightly. They may have freed some of their prisoners that posed the least threat to their Veil. But containment – slavery – is still their status quo. If it caused the Impasse once before, then it will surely do so again.”</p>
<p>She scanned the mass of bodies, looking into the eyes of hundreds as she panned left and right. Two Nobodies stood in the crowd, next to a four-armed individual of indecipherable gender. All three were impossibly hard to focus on, so Chao did not bother to.</p>
<p>“It is for that reason that I have authorized a number of operations against the Jailers in the past weeks. Operations that at one time would have been considered suicide. But we have been informed of the Jailers’ weakness. Their disorganization. Their self-doubt. Their internal strife. Although their cabal of overlords has kept the truth to themselves about the cause of the Impasse, it is an open secret. We even have seen new resistance from within. And so, we committed to operations that would not even have been considered before. Because now is the time to bring them into the light, so they can die where we all see them.”</p>
<p>Chao lowered her gaze.</p>
<p>“Unfortunately, despite the Jailers’ disorganization in the wake of the crisis, they still present a serious danger to our people. We are gathered here to mourn our fallen. And one more who fell due to the Impasse as a whole. We say their names so we might remember their deeds and their contribution to the cause.”</p>
<p>“Kimori Quan Chi.”</p>
<p>“Melissa Acherman.”</p>
<p>“Shalid Margossian.”</p>
<p>“Chloé Allard.”</p>
<p>The crowd intoned each name after her, a thousand voices strong. And then she paused again before the fifth and final name.</p>
<p>“And one more we do not know the name of. Many of us have called him <a href="/scp-4999">Thanatos</a>, as the Greeks might have called him. But he was the Grim Reaper and Charon too. Not a figure to be shunned or hated or feared, but a source of hope in the darkness of dying. We have recovered documentation from the Jailers that he too has fallen, disincorporated by the entropic effect of the Impasse. Many a dying soul has been shown the comfort of a caring universe by his presence in their last moments. But, most likely, there was no one to welcome him into the pale lands when it was his time. I wanted to honor his memory, because like so many things and people made up of wonder, they are gone from us now.”</p>
<p>The crowd was silent, most of which with bowed heads.</p>
<p>“If any of you want to come up and speak of those we are here to remember, I welcome you to do so now. This has been a hard time for us all, and will be harder still. I wanted to come together and show us all what we’re fighting for. So no more of us are locked away by the Jailers. So no more dead and forgotten gods are cemented over by the Jailers’ endless hunger for their arbitrary status quo. Thank you all for coming. It means the world to me.”</p>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>
<p>The two Nobodies broke off from the crowd and met the Black Queen on her descent of the stone steps within the library. The individual known as O5-0 trailed behind, along with <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/of-an-endless-hunt">Amy Corvin</a>. They follow the Queen into a side room away from the stream of people starting up the stairs to share their memories of the fallen.</p>
<p>The room contained a sleek conference table, already covered with tomes and documents. The Queen sat at the head of the table and indicated the rest to find seats.</p>
<p>“I appreciate you coming to this. Especially you,” she said, nodding to Zero.</p>
<p>“The very least I could do, given your assistance in freeing me from my wayward colleagues.”</p>
<p>“I know this has been a lot for you, I can’t imagine your perspective, but I need to know you’re in this fight.”</p>
<p>“I have been <em>in the fight</em> for longer than you’ve been alive, Ms. Chao.”</p>
<p>“Good. I just need to know where we’re all at. Getting you out was only a first step in a new facet of this long war.”</p>
<p>“I was imprisoned by Overwatch for my activities in trying to stem the tide of the Impasse.”</p>
<p>The female Nobody spoke, reminding Chao she was there. She shook her head slightly, as if trying to shake out the disorientation.</p>
<p>“What did you do?” the Nobody asked.</p>
<p>Zero, with apparently no difficulty, focused their eyes on the woman.</p>
<p>“I stole one of their artifacts and was in the process of stealing more. The Council gathered four artifacts of prodigious thaumaturgical potency. They did this in an end run gambit to stymie the worst of the Impasse. Despite my clear warnings that it was the systemic containment of the anomalous that was the cause.”</p>
<p>“How did they find these artifacts?” Corvin asked.</p>
<p>“I told them about them, in a round about manner. Many years ago I had an office within the organization, and many materials were left behind when I fled from the Council. I did that because I knew they would not take my warnings seriously. And I will admit, when I realized that my notes on several artifacts that could be used to dampen the entropy and slow, possibly even halt, the death of the anomalous, I thought it was a good thing they were in their hands.”</p>
<p>“Holy shit, why would that be a good thing?” Corvin asked, half rising from her seat. Chao placed a hand on her young friend’s shoulder and gently pushed her back down.</p>
<p>“Amy has the mouth of a sailor, but she has similar concerns as I do,” Chao said.</p>
<p>“I thought that if anyone could hunt down four legendary prisms of unrestrained thaumaturgy, it was the Foundation. And I was right. When the Impasse started to show its effect on the world, when things started to quietly die that should not ever do so, I wormed my way back into the Foundation. I infiltrated and made myself appear as a researcher. I clued in the Council to the existence of the notes, as they had sealed up my office and pretended I never existed, and planted the seed of a plan. I thought to sweep in, gather up the artifacts under their noses and use them for my own purposes.”</p>
<p>“Didn’t work as well as you hoped,” Nobody said.</p>
<p>Chao noticed the other Nobody was silent in his reverie; despite his impetus in forming this little cabal – having called all those here together in the first place – he was strangely quiet.</p>
<p>“Yes and no,” Zero said. They placed two of their palms flat on the table, crossing the other two arms across their chest. “I wanted to use the artifacts to stem the entropy, and that is what the Council is doing. As potent as these artifacts are as weapons, and they are without a doubt weapons, their greatest utility is damming up the flow of the Impasse. So, it worked in the sense that the Council is using them for the purposes I foresaw their potential to be. But they discovered me and imprisoned me. I got through to some of them, sat in the room with them and convinced nearly half the Council to walk away from containment. To shut down the Foundation.”</p>
<p>“Do you think those you convinced would be willing to work against the organization?” Chao asked.</p>
<p>“That’s hard to say. My gut says no, that voting against the Foundation is not the same as betraying it. But it might be worth some reconnaissance of those who voted in favor of dissolution.”</p>
<p>“Do you know who voted against?”</p>
<p>“O5s three, six, seven, eleven and twelve.”</p>
<p>“We don’t know a lot about them as individuals,” Corvin said.</p>
<p>“I can fill you in to some extent, at least enough to get started,” Zero responded.</p>
<p>“More research. Great,” the female Nobody said.</p>
<p>“Did you have something in mind, Lou?”</p>
<p>Chao narrowed her eyes at this. Wondered how Zero knew a name for Nobody. The woman also found it obviously disconcerting, and that confusion cleared up a little more of the fog around her. Chao could see the Nobody clearly for a moment, ringed in red curls. But when she spoke, she did not comment on Zero’s knowledge.</p>
<p>“When we got you out, you said you wanted to shut them down. How do you shut down the O5s?” Nobody asked.</p>
<p>“The witty answer would be ‘carefully’ but I think you want more details than that,” Zero said. “We divide them. Find the chinks in the organizational armor and I assure they exist, and then apply pressure. Some violence will almost certainly be required.”</p>
<div class="page">
<p>Breaking in here to say I don’t mind a good scrap. Hell, I grew up in London. Can’t go anywhere without a baton or a blade these days. But I’d be lying if I said I was relishing another gun fight with the Foundies and their death squads.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
Despite my ability to sneak into almost any sort of secret bunker, I haven’t often utilized my “condition” for violence. That being said, nothing sorts out an authoritative regime better than a knife in the right set of ribs.</p>
</div>
<p>Chao nodded, contemplating Zero’s words. “So, do you think reattaining the artifacts would be worth pursuing?”</p>
<p>“No, they are serving a purpose now,” Zero said. “No one wants the Impasse to continue less than I. But they weren’t alone.”</p>
<p>“What do you mean?” Corvin asked.</p>
<p>“There were other artifacts that I thought could be used to serve the same function, and some of those would be useful to secure. If only to keep them out of the Foundation’s cells.”</p>
<p>Chao turned to the silent Nobody, annoyed by his reticence.</p>
<p>“Were you going to participate in this meeting you facilitated? Your colleague seems engaged. You have been silent.”</p>
<p>“I was waiting to see how long it took for any of you to notice that we aren’t alone,” he said.</p>
<p>“What?” Zero said. The other Nobody nodded to the corner of the room, draped in shadows.</p>
<p>“Son of a bitch. I knew I couldn’t trust Placeholder,” a disembodied voice said from the corner.</p>
<p>Zero narrowed their eyes on the darkened corner of the room and raised a hand, forming a series of sigils in the air with rapidity. A <a href="/scp-5616">woman</a> with short, wavy reddish hair and wearing glasses and a slim jumpsuit wavered into being.</p>
<p>“Right. This is awkward. Let’s start with introductions. My name is Ilse.”</p>
<p>Female Nobody – <em>what was her name again?</em> – and Corvin had guns in hand, pointed at the new arrival.</p>
<p>“I don’t mean any harm.”</p>
<p>“Then why you sneaking about like a bleeding ninja?” the female Nobody said.</p>
<p>“She’s Foundation,” Zero said.</p>
<p>“Not exactly!” the woman exclaimed.</p>
<p>“Not possible,” Chao said. “How could someone from the Foundation find their way in here? And hide from us, in this way?”</p>
<p>“I don’t know,” Zero said.</p>
<p>“She’s very good,” the male Nobody said.</p>
<p>“Yes, thank you. Very helpful,” Chao said narrowing her eyes and looking sideways at the Nobody. She turned back towards the woman in the corner. “Explain yourself.”</p>
<p>“Also, what did you mean when you said you couldn’t trust a placeholder?” the other Nobody said.</p>
<p>“I’ll take those one at a time. First, Placeholder is a person. Long story short, he had his name stolen by <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-5242">a magical whatsit</a> and he gets to walk around with one of the most ridiculous names someone could imagine. He is one of the most important experts in something the Foundation calls Pataphysics.”</p>
<p>“Here we go,” Corvin said.</p>
<p>Chao frowned. “Let her finish. Don’t interrupt again, please.”</p>
<p>“Thank you. Listen, I don’t want to bore you more than you already are, but pataphysics is the study of narrative in dictating the operations of the universe. I think. Suffice it to say that Placeholder told me that this device,” she held up her hand to show a bracelet made of smokey gray metal, “would deemphasize my protagonistic potential to such a degree that I would disappear into the background.”</p>
<div class="page">
<p>I shit you not, this is what she said. Protagonistic potential. Jesus.</p>
</div>
<p>“Sorry… your what?” the female Nobody asked.</p>
<p>“It doesn’t matter, what it was supposed to do was make me much much less noticeable so I could observe without interfering.”</p>
<p>“Personally, I do not care how you were hiding in the corner, Ilse,” Zero said. “I am a fugitive from the Foundation and here we find you, an agent of that same Foundation.”</p>
<p>“No, not really. I’m not an agent of the Foundation as you understand it. I’m the director of the TAD. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. But, we’re not super interested in containment or locking up anything.”</p>
<p>“Then what are you interested in?” Zero asked.</p>
<p>“Maintaining the timeline.”</p>
<p>“The what now?” the female Nobody asked.</p>
<p>“A chronological arrangement of events in the order of their occurrence in the simplest meaning, but in a world of alternate realities, it’s a specific arrangement,” Zero said. “One of many. In other words, another dimension or a different versions of our universe.”</p>
<p>“So, there are different version of us out there?”</p>
<p>“Absolutely. But there is only one Wanderer’s Library, and it connects to all of those other worlds.”</p>
<p>“Well, most of them anyway. It’s hard to say for sure if all universes connect to the Library,” Chao said.</p>
<p>“Beggin the question: How does this ‘TAD’ maintain a fawking timeline? What does TAD even stand for?” the Nobody asked.</p>
<p>“The Temporal Anomalies Department,” Ilse said. “We mostly monitor anomalies that directly affect the arrangement of events and interfere with the Prime Timeline, the most stable. If the multiverse is the branches of a tree, then the Prime Timeline is the trunk. So, yes, we are the Foundation, but we aren’t interested in locking up murder monsters or interfering with the Hand, we are entirely focused on combating a number of retrocausal, temporal and ahistorical events that are caused by anomalies.”</p>
<p>“This doesn’t explain why you are here, why you infiltrated my private space, and why you were skulking around like a home invader?” Alison asked.</p>
<p>“For one thing, what you five are discussing has a significant impact on the following years. I couldn’t help but see it for myself.”</p>
<p>“‘For one thing?’ What else?”</p>
<p>“According to our records, I was supposed to be here.”</p>
<p>“What does that mean?” the male Nobody asked.</p>
<p>“To a very limited extent, my department is able to traverse the time stream. It’s necessary to preserve the timeline. The TAD exists outside the timelines, by way of a bunch of technical jargon I won’t be explaining. Effectively, you are in my past. In my present, we have technical details concerning the events following the vote of the O5 Council and Zero’s escape from custody afterwards. One of those details is that I was present. Which isn’t technically possible.”</p>
<div class="page">
<p>If I had to read this, I’d get real sick of me or someone else asking “what?” because half the stuff this bird said made no sense. Every other word out of her mouth was bloody gibberish. I guess it showed on my face, cos she went on.</p>
</div>
<p>“Long story short, <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-5616">I only recently freed myself</a> from a sort of containment that’s held me underground for the better part of the 20th century. I’m still there, underground in Canada. Actually, today I am giving a presentation on ***.”</p>
<p>The TAD Director ended the sentence with a screeching that sounded like metal tearing apart. Everyone in the room flinched, except Zero.</p>
<p>“What in the fuck was that?” Corwin said.</p>
<p>“There must be a memetic filter on that presentation. I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since I had to worry about clearances. Suffice it to say that I wasn’t in the Wanderer’s Library on this day, talking to you. But that’s what the TAD’s records say, so… I figured I’d sit in the shadows and see if a different version of me showed up.”</p>
<p>“You didn’t consider that the version of you that would appear, was you?” Zero asked.</p>
<div class="page">
<p>At this point, I had the worst headache of me bleeding life. Even thinking of this conversation makes my head hurt.</p>
</div>
<p>“It did, but I thought that was an outside possibility. To be honest, I’m still thinking that other version of me wanders in any minute. You should know what that feels like, Ms. Chao.”</p>
<p>“That’s not how it works with my sister selves,” Alison responded.</p>
<p>“It was a poor attempt at a joke.”</p>
<p>“What did your records say you were here to say?” the male Nobody asked.</p>
<p>“Jesus. I forgot you were here. I hate that.”</p>
<p>“It’s no bloody fun for us either, lady,” the female Nobody said.</p>
<p>“Apologies, I don’t mean to be insensitive. Why I’m here… well, I guess, to sell out the Foundation.”</p>
<p>Alison gaped at her, she could see everyone else’s reaction was similar.</p>
<div class="page">
<p>Just imagine I said “What?!?!” again.</p>
</div>
<p>“I know, it’s not the most predictable path for an agent of the Foundation but apparently, I give you information on the whereabouts of three Overseers and several pieces of equipment that will help you in your endeavor.”</p>
<p>“Why would you help us?” Alison asked.</p>
<p>“The TAD might be part of the Foundation, but it is entirely outside the command structure. We follow our own prerogatives and march to our own drum. The way the O5s have handled the Impasse leaves a lot to be desired. And apparently, it’s already happened so… despite the fact I have misgivings, I will provide you with the information.”</p>
<p>“In exchange for what?”</p>
<p>“A few minutes of your time for some questions concerning your sisterhood.”</p>
<p>Alison considered for a moment. She could see Amy Corvin’s head shake in her peripheral vision as the young woman tried desperately to get her attention. She met Zero’s eyes across the table and they shrugged ever so slightly.</p>
<p>“I imagine the Foundation already knows everything it needs to concerning your special condition,” Zero said.</p>
<p>“I promise to keep everything confidential. Anything related to the Impasse is not even on review by the O5s.”</p>
<p>“You’re incredibly transparent, Dr. Reynders,” Zero said.</p>
<p>Ilse startled.</p>
<p>“Apologies, I have been aware of your predicament for several decades. When you mentioned your name and your recent incarceration, I put two and two together.”</p>
<p>“You’re very well informed.”</p>
<p>“I began your organization over a hundred years ago, my good doctor. I tend to keep tabs on them. But don’t dissemble. Why are you being so apparently forthcoming with us, the enemies of your Foundation.”</p>
<p>“As I said, I don’t agree with how Overwatch handled the crisis. I don’t appreciate the way they treated you. We are supposed to contain threats to normalcy, not people who disagree with our policies.”</p>
<p>“I am a threat to normalcy. A significant one.”</p>
<p>Ilse chuckled. “I have no doubt. But my point is, the Foundation has been overly concerned with locking up threats to their organization. Things and people that aren’t a threat to anyone’s life but <em>do</em> imperil the Foundation’s power and authority. And for another reason, anything said within this building is null and void.”</p>
<p>Zero turned and looked at Alison. “What does she mean?”</p>
<p>“I have considerable reason to be paranoid these days,” Alison said. “This building has a geas placed upon it. Anyone entering that wishes to report what occurs here in a way that would provide information for my enemies will find themselves completely unable to communicate the information.”</p>
<p>“I wouldn’t even be able to confirm to someone that I was here if they demanded I do so, if it was to work against the Queen or the Hand in general,” Ilse said. “So, no one at the Foundation will know that it was this me that told you anything. Only that a version of me, free from my incarceration as you called it, appeared today to aid in the conversation. And even then, the only with access to those files are people in the TAD who don’t care.”</p>
<p>“Very well, provide your information and I will answer your questions, within reason,” Alison said.</p>
<p>“Excellent! So, the first thing I’ll tell you is the name of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-7007">O5-7: Marjorie Gonzales</a>. And I can tell you where to find her too.”</p>
<div class="page">
<p>And at this point she starts listing off details about a number of O5s and then gives a debriefing on some assets that would help in <strong><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">taking out</span></strong> capturing the Overseers. Honestly, it’s terribly boring stuff. Let’s move on. I’m pretty sure someone was writing it down.</p>
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<p>With my condition, you can imagine it’s easy to lose someone’s focus. Really it’s a curse, but every once in a while – well ok, actually all the time – it’s really useful.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
So, Dr. Ilse gives us a whole run through, which like I said I’m skipping over, and the others are talking in a frenzied manner. Zero is taking notes, and animatedly discussing strategies with Barry and Corwin. They start to file out of the room and just as she gets to the door, Corwin looks back at Chao – who proceeds to wave her off. And here I am, slinking into the far corner of the room, the same corner this chick popped outta the shadows from, and fading from sight.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
You gotta understand, its not a literal vanishing act. But I think it works more like a filter. People just have a harder time noticing me when they’re not directly interacting with me. Gets even easier when they’re a) as focused as the doctor and Chao are on each other, and b) when I lean into the mojo. Always there, my condition, in the back of my mind. I can hold it back for a while, make it easier for people to see me/remember me. And just as easily, I can lean the other way entirely.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
I get out my little recorder, because I don’t know what they’re gonna talk about and I want to remember it clearly. No one who calls themselves a queen is to be trusted. And I think by now, you know my opinion of anyone willingly signing up to be part of the Foundation – Time Abnormal Division or not.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
And what they talk about, it’s juicy:</p>
</div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>
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<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: What did you want to speak to me about?</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: Have you had occasion to speak with your sisters lately?</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: Every day, or close to it.</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: Any who have experienced the Impasse?</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: Of course, it spread out through the worlds. I think through the Library.</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: Huh, I hadn’t considered that.</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: What do you mean?</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: In hindsight, it’s not really clear how it spread. Maybe you’re right and it started here in your timeline, spread into the other worlds connected to the Library. But I don’t know…</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: I don’t understand. What else?</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: A lot of very smart people have worked on this for years, in at least <em>two</em> universes.</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: And?</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: They don’t know, it seems to have sprouted up in a number of alternate realities. No one does. Or if they do, they aren’t talking. And the TAD has a wide view… if someone knew and were talking, then I’d know.</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: What did you want to know about the sisters? I have things to do.</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: Have you spoken to your sister in the <span class="dblock">mirror reality</span>?</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: Sorry?</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: The <span class="dblock">parallel timeline</span>.</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: I don’t understand.</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: With the <span class="dblock">dissolution of the Foundation and the formation of Vanguard</span>.</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: Please stop. I literally cannot understand what you’re saying. Some more “memetic countermeasures”?</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: What? No. No one could even know to create such a thing in this reality, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. Because you could talk to your sister self in that <span class="dblock">other timeline, where she joined Vanguard</span>.</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: You’re giving me a headache. I can’t understand half the things you’re saying. Last chance. Do you have an actual question for me?</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: Let’s test it. Can you understand this: I want to know about a sister of yours that has experienced the Impasse.</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaosness</strong>: Yes, I understood that. Which one?</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: The one who joined <span class="dblock">Vanguard</span>!</p>
<p><strong>Her Chaoness</strong>: Okay, that’s it. I’m not wasting another minute on this conversation. Figure out whatever is wrong with you and come back if you want, I owe you that much. But this is useless.</p>
<div class="page">
<p>Then she ups and just leaves, lets the Foundation goon just stand there looking flabbergasted. I got the impression she was the type of person who usually understood how to communicate and wasn’t used to people just walking out on her ass.</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: So… what does that mean? People in this universe can’t understand when I talk about the <span class="dblock">parallel timeline</span>? Or does it go deeper? She isn’t even aware of her sister joining <span class="dblock">Vanguard</span> or she’s an excellent liar. But no, she was the third person to react that way. Seems like no one from this universe can interact with that <span class="dblock">timeline</span>.</p>
<p><strong>Foundie</strong>: I wonder if you could travel from here into that <span class="dblock">timeline</span> through the Library? That’s how it works right? So, is something blocking the path and stopping everyone from reacting or understanding… or is it something else?</p>
</div>
<div class="page">
<p>Then she sighed, pulled out a magic fucking pocket watch, played a tune on it and then winked out of existence.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
And people think I’m weird.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
Anyway, I rushed out of there and caught up with Chao.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
“Were you in there the whole time, Ms. Nobody?” she asked.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
I nodded.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
“You people are always trouble. What do you think that was about?”<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
I shook my head.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
“Could you understand her?”<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
I shook my head again.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
“Yeah, some Foundation mind games I’d guess. Or else she’s under a terrible curse. Wonder what she wanted to know from me so badly?”<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
I shrugged but she had already headed out of the hall and into the dusky light of the Library itself, probably catching up to Zero. Making with the strategies. I’d join them in a minute, we had a lot of stuff to accomplish if we were going to hold the Foundation over a barrel. But for the moment I was consumed by a burning question from that doctor’s frustration with the Queen.<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>What’s a Vanguard?</p>
</div>
<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>
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[[=]]
**[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/grigori-karpin-s-author-page More by this author]**
[[/=]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]]
[[/>]]
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[[div class="page"]]
**2 August, 2021** - //I think?//
@@ @@
I’m staring at a military base with a pair of binoculars. Watching a crew of GOC types load up a series of suits of armor onto a truck. I’m here for a reason. This is the next step in our little war against the Foundation. But I find myself drifting back to a few days ago. Or what I assume was a few days ago.
@@ @@
Time is hard to pay attention to in a world of endless books. You try living in an infinite library containing all books ever written or that would be written across the bleeding multiverse – whatever that is – and try keeping time.
@@ @@
There ain’t no sun or moon or stars. Just books. And people fucking live here, there are whole ass communities in between the stacks. I ate ramen last night at a free-standing cart like they do in Japan, and it was situated in between sections for the occult philosophies of Alagadda and the histories of some place called Leng. You’d think an open flame would be something the librarians discouraged here, but apparently people live their whole lives in the stacks.
@@ @@
Me, I’ve never been a big fan of reading. Good way to get in trouble, I’ve found. It was reading what brought me to this confluence of [[[nobody-likes-a-sneak | insurgency against the Foundation]]] and [[[nobody-s-looking-for-trouble | aiding the escape of a four-armed person]]] what __knows__ the unknown from the depths of Foundie prison. O5-0 is the only name they’ll give me. Which I don’t need to explain to you, isn’t a fucking name. Apparently, some big shit magic guru what helped start the Foundation then got kicked out. Basically a myth until we broke them out.
@@ @@
Said four-armed myth slurped down two bowls of tonkatsu in front of me, so I’d say they’re very real. But then, no one remembers I exist after I leave their eyeline. Who am I? I’m Lou. Ms. Nobody. But then, the only people who get to read this are me, myself, and I. So why the fuck am I introducing myself? Future me reading this, you’ll have to forgive the meandering tone here. I haven’t had much time to record my thoughts and I’m trying to get into the swing of it again. Sue me.
@@ @@
Back to the subject at hand, it’s fascinating to me that O5-0 – //seriously, that’s going to get annoying, gonna be Zero from here on out// – has no trouble seeing me or remembering me. Hell, they even remember my name. I didn’t think that was a thing anymore. Few years on now I’ve been a miasma of imperceptiveness, only lightening up when I concentrate. Sure, the odd duck has noticed me here or there, but I just put the whammy on em and that’s that. S’alright? S’alright.
@@ @@
But this one, they know me. Sees me from across a room and waves me down. Been right disconcerting.
@@ @@
Why am I going on about this? Other than tamping down on the raging imposter syndrome and churning mass of anxiety that is my life? Zero has been around me a lot lately. ‘Bout a month ago, me and these other blokes sneak into Site-01. Yeah, that Site-01. Big bad Foundation prison for everything they want even their own people to forget about. We go in for the express purpose of busting this fucker out. Turns out, they knows the Impasse and they knows what caused it. And if anyone can do something about it, it’s them. Hence why them overwatch types locked Zero up.
@@ @@
So here we is, in the heart of multiversal knowledge and resistance to all things Jailer, with the Black Queen (//Don’t love that name, me darling. Feels a bit up your arse.//) and some others, and another Nobody. Oh yeah, I’m not alone. Don’t have a name for him, he don’t remember one – or so he says – but I call him Barry. Hates it, he does.
@@ @@
Got plans we do. Or at least, they do. Don’t know why I’m still here. Well… that’s not expressly true. I do know why I’m still here.
@@ @@
DRAMATIC MUSIC. THE SCREEN GOES DARK. THE CROWD GOES ALL GOOEY WITH ANTICIPATION. CUE THE FLASHBACK.
[[/div]]
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[[=]]
**Wanderers’ Library – The Depository**
//31 July, 2021//
//One week after the raid on Site-01//
[[/=]]
The Depository stood in the center of a sea of books, the stacks arrayed around it like a forest of the written word. But this building was different than most in the Library. Although a variety of building materials are used in the Library, the Depository is built of roughhewn stone like something out of time immemorial. A central courtyard surrounded by an oblong ring wall and a two-story building house the collection of magic and knowledge gained by this Alison Chao and others to be used as an asset in the Hand’s long quiet war against the Foundation. This isn’t a story about that war, not today.
The structure is older than most know or care to think of. It pre-dates the Eighth Archivist’s tenure. It predates the Roman Empire on most worlds. How the Black Queen came to own the building is a story in and of itself, but that is not the story we are here for today. Today is about remembrance.
The Black Queen stood on a balcony overlooking the modest courtyard and the surrounding area of the stacks. She looked down on nearly a thousand mages, operatives of the Serpent’s Hand, Library docents, and even the large centipede that governed the Library. They had all gathered for one thing. A funeral. She started to speak.
“We are not strangers to death. In our calling to fight against the oppression of the Jailers, to free magic from their iron grip, we have all lost colleagues and loved ones. I have personally lost friends and family in this conflict. But rarely do we have the wherewithal and motivation to hold a gathering such as this. In the last month, we have seen magic start to return. We know that the Jailers, against type, were the deciding factor in reversing the Impasse. We know there were teams all over the world trying to secure every advantage, totem or relic that could have made a difference. His August Personage, the Eighth Archivist, has graced us with his presence today and he tells me that members of the Jailers were even here in the Library not five weeks past, looking for a way into Alagadda.”
Allison Chao paused here to let that fact sink in. It was common knowledge that the multiverse over, the Foundation was not to be trusted in these sacred halls.
“What has not been common knowledge, is the reason behind this death of magic they have called the Impasse. The Jailers might have fought to stop the entropic destruction of all things touched by magic or the anomalous, but they had good reason to. They were covering for their own sins. The Jailers are the cause of the Impasse. Their century or more of containment has weakened the natural state of the worlds, and so almost brought about the collapse. As so many of us know, without the anomalous there is no world. And for once, the Jailers saw it the same. But their actions in light of this catastrophe were to paper over their complicity. And even so, what actions they’ve taken have only stemmed the tide. The Impasse is not reversed. The dead will not come back. The relics taken by the Jailers are being used to blunt the damage. We will see some return to the old powers, yes. But how long before it happens again? The Jailers might have changed ever so slightly. They may have freed some of their prisoners that posed the least threat to their Veil. But containment – slavery – is still their status quo. If it caused the Impasse once before, then it will surely do so again.”
She scanned the mass of bodies, looking into the eyes of hundreds as she panned left and right. Two Nobodies stood in the crowd, next to a four-armed individual of indecipherable gender. All three were impossibly hard to focus on, so Chao did not bother to.
“It is for that reason that I have authorized a number of operations against the Jailers in the past weeks. Operations that at one time would have been considered suicide. But we have been informed of the Jailers’ weakness. Their disorganization. Their self-doubt. Their internal strife. Although their cabal of overlords has kept the truth to themselves about the cause of the Impasse, it is an open secret. We even have seen new resistance from within. And so, we committed to operations that would not even have been considered before. Because now is the time to bring them into the light, so they can die where we all see them.”
Chao lowered her gaze.
“Unfortunately, despite the Jailers’ disorganization in the wake of the crisis, they still present a serious danger to our people. We are gathered here to mourn our fallen. And one more who fell due to the Impasse as a whole. We say their names so we might remember their deeds and their contribution to the cause.”
“Kimori Quan Chi.”
“Melissa Acherman.”
“Shalid Margossian.”
“Chloé Allard.”
The crowd intoned each name after her, a thousand voices strong. And then she paused again before the fifth and final name.
“And one more we do not know the name of. Many of us have called him [[[scp-4999 | Thanatos]]], as the Greeks might have called him. But he was the Grim Reaper and Charon too. Not a figure to be shunned or hated or feared, but a source of hope in the darkness of dying. We have recovered documentation from the Jailers that he too has fallen, disincorporated by the entropic effect of the Impasse. Many a dying soul has been shown the comfort of a caring universe by his presence in their last moments. But, most likely, there was no one to welcome him into the pale lands when it was his time. I wanted to honor his memory, because like so many things and people made up of wonder, they are gone from us now.”
The crowd was silent, most of which with bowed heads.
“If any of you want to come up and speak of those we are here to remember, I welcome you to do so now. This has been a hard time for us all, and will be harder still. I wanted to come together and show us all what we’re fighting for. So no more of us are locked away by the Jailers. So no more dead and forgotten gods are cemented over by the Jailers’ endless hunger for their arbitrary status quo. Thank you all for coming. It means the world to me.”
@@ @@
[[div class="fancyhr"]]
----
[[/div]]
@@ @@
The two Nobodies broke off from the crowd and met the Black Queen on her descent of the stone steps within the library. The individual known as O5-0 trailed behind, along with [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/of-an-endless-hunt | Amy Corvin]]]. They follow the Queen into a side room away from the stream of people starting up the stairs to share their memories of the fallen.
The room contained a sleek conference table, already covered with tomes and documents. The Queen sat at the head of the table and indicated the rest to find seats.
“I appreciate you coming to this. Especially you,” she said, nodding to Zero.
“The very least I could do, given your assistance in freeing me from my wayward colleagues.”
“I know this has been a lot for you, I can’t imagine your perspective, but I need to know you’re in this fight.”
“I have been //in the fight// for longer than you’ve been alive, Ms. Chao.”
“Good. I just need to know where we’re all at. Getting you out was only a first step in a new facet of this long war.”
“I was imprisoned by Overwatch for my activities in trying to stem the tide of the Impasse.”
The female Nobody spoke, reminding Chao she was there. She shook her head slightly, as if trying to shake out the disorientation.
“What did you do?” the Nobody asked.
Zero, with apparently no difficulty, focused their eyes on the woman.
“I stole one of their artifacts and was in the process of stealing more. The Council gathered four artifacts of prodigious thaumaturgical potency. They did this in an end run gambit to stymie the worst of the Impasse. Despite my clear warnings that it was the systemic containment of the anomalous that was the cause.”
“How did they find these artifacts?” Corvin asked.
“I told them about them, in a round about manner. Many years ago I had an office within the organization, and many materials were left behind when I fled from the Council. I did that because I knew they would not take my warnings seriously. And I will admit, when I realized that my notes on several artifacts that could be used to dampen the entropy and slow, possibly even halt, the death of the anomalous, I thought it was a good thing they were in their hands.”
“Holy shit, why would that be a good thing?” Corvin asked, half rising from her seat. Chao placed a hand on her young friend’s shoulder and gently pushed her back down.
“Amy has the mouth of a sailor, but she has similar concerns as I do,” Chao said.
“I thought that if anyone could hunt down four legendary prisms of unrestrained thaumaturgy, it was the Foundation. And I was right. When the Impasse started to show its effect on the world, when things started to quietly die that should not ever do so, I wormed my way back into the Foundation. I infiltrated and made myself appear as a researcher. I clued in the Council to the existence of the notes, as they had sealed up my office and pretended I never existed, and planted the seed of a plan. I thought to sweep in, gather up the artifacts under their noses and use them for my own purposes.”
“Didn’t work as well as you hoped,” Nobody said.
Chao noticed the other Nobody was silent in his reverie; despite his impetus in forming this little cabal – having called all those here together in the first place – he was strangely quiet.
“Yes and no,” Zero said. They placed two of their palms flat on the table, crossing the other two arms across their chest. “I wanted to use the artifacts to stem the entropy, and that is what the Council is doing. As potent as these artifacts are as weapons, and they are without a doubt weapons, their greatest utility is damming up the flow of the Impasse. So, it worked in the sense that the Council is using them for the purposes I foresaw their potential to be. But they discovered me and imprisoned me. I got through to some of them, sat in the room with them and convinced nearly half the Council to walk away from containment. To shut down the Foundation.”
“Do you think those you convinced would be willing to work against the organization?” Chao asked.
“That’s hard to say. My gut says no, that voting against the Foundation is not the same as betraying it. But it might be worth some reconnaissance of those who voted in favor of dissolution.”
“Do you know who voted against?”
“O5s three, six, seven, eleven and twelve.”
“We don’t know a lot about them as individuals,” Corvin said.
“I can fill you in to some extent, at least enough to get started,” Zero responded.
“More research. Great,” the female Nobody said.
“Did you have something in mind, Lou?”
Chao narrowed her eyes at this. Wondered how Zero knew a name for Nobody. The woman also found it obviously disconcerting, and that confusion cleared up a little more of the fog around her. Chao could see the Nobody clearly for a moment, ringed in red curls. But when she spoke, she did not comment on Zero’s knowledge.
“When we got you out, you said you wanted to shut them down. How do you shut down the O5s?” Nobody asked.
“The witty answer would be ‘carefully’ but I think you want more details than that,” Zero said. “We divide them. Find the chinks in the organizational armor and I assure they exist, and then apply pressure. Some violence will almost certainly be required.”
[[div class="page"]]
Breaking in here to say I don’t mind a good scrap. Hell, I grew up in London. Can’t go anywhere without a baton or a blade these days. But I’d be lying if I said I was relishing another gun fight with the Foundies and their death squads.
@@ @@
Despite my ability to sneak into almost any sort of secret bunker, I haven’t often utilized my “condition” for violence. That being said, nothing sorts out an authoritative regime better than a knife in the right set of ribs.
[[/div]]
Chao nodded, contemplating Zero’s words. “So, do you think reattaining the artifacts would be worth pursuing?”
“No, they are serving a purpose now,” Zero said. “No one wants the Impasse to continue less than I. But they weren’t alone.”
“What do you mean?” Corvin asked.
“There were other artifacts that I thought could be used to serve the same function, and some of those would be useful to secure. If only to keep them out of the Foundation’s cells.”
Chao turned to the silent Nobody, annoyed by his reticence.
“Were you going to participate in this meeting you facilitated? Your colleague seems engaged. You have been silent.”
“I was waiting to see how long it took for any of you to notice that we aren’t alone,” he said.
“What?” Zero said. The other Nobody nodded to the corner of the room, draped in shadows.
“Son of a bitch. I knew I couldn’t trust Placeholder,” a disembodied voice said from the corner.
Zero narrowed their eyes on the darkened corner of the room and raised a hand, forming a series of sigils in the air with rapidity. A [[[scp-5616 | woman]]] with short, wavy reddish hair and wearing glasses and a slim jumpsuit wavered into being.
“Right. This is awkward. Let’s start with introductions. My name is Ilse.”
Female Nobody – //what was her name again?// – and Corvin had guns in hand, pointed at the new arrival.
“I don’t mean any harm.”
“Then why you sneaking about like a bleeding ninja?” the female Nobody said.
“She’s Foundation,” Zero said.
“Not exactly!” the woman exclaimed.
“Not possible,” Chao said. “How could someone from the Foundation find their way in here? And hide from us, in this way?”
“I don’t know,” Zero said.
“She’s very good,” the male Nobody said.
“Yes, thank you. Very helpful,” Chao said narrowing her eyes and looking sideways at the Nobody. She turned back towards the woman in the corner. “Explain yourself.”
“Also, what did you mean when you said you couldn’t trust a placeholder?” the other Nobody said.
“I’ll take those one at a time. First, Placeholder is a person. Long story short, he had his name stolen by [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-5242 | a magical whatsit]]] and he gets to walk around with one of the most ridiculous names someone could imagine. He is one of the most important experts in something the Foundation calls Pataphysics.”
“Here we go,” Corvin said.
Chao frowned. “Let her finish. Don’t interrupt again, please.”
“Thank you. Listen, I don’t want to bore you more than you already are, but pataphysics is the study of narrative in dictating the operations of the universe. I think. Suffice it to say that Placeholder told me that this device,” she held up her hand to show a bracelet made of smokey gray metal, “would deemphasize my protagonistic potential to such a degree that I would disappear into the background.”
[[div class="page"]]
I shit you not, this is what she said. Protagonistic potential. Jesus.
[[/div]]
“Sorry… your what?” the female Nobody asked.
“It doesn’t matter, what it was supposed to do was make me much much less noticeable so I could observe without interfering.”
“Personally, I do not care how you were hiding in the corner, Ilse,” Zero said. “I am a fugitive from the Foundation and here we find you, an agent of that same Foundation.”
“No, not really. I’m not an agent of the Foundation as you understand it. I’m the director of the TAD. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. But, we’re not super interested in containment or locking up anything.”
“Then what are you interested in?” Zero asked.
“Maintaining the timeline.”
“The what now?” the female Nobody asked.
“A chronological arrangement of events in the order of their occurrence in the simplest meaning, but in a world of alternate realities, it’s a specific arrangement,” Zero said. “One of many. In other words, another dimension or a different versions of our universe.”
“So, there are different version of us out there?”
“Absolutely. But there is only one Wanderer’s Library, and it connects to all of those other worlds.”
“Well, most of them anyway. It’s hard to say for sure if all universes connect to the Library,” Chao said.
“Beggin the question: How does this ‘TAD’ maintain a fawking timeline? What does TAD even stand for?” the Nobody asked.
“The Temporal Anomalies Department,” Ilse said. “We mostly monitor anomalies that directly affect the arrangement of events and interfere with the Prime Timeline, the most stable. If the multiverse is the branches of a tree, then the Prime Timeline is the trunk. So, yes, we are the Foundation, but we aren’t interested in locking up murder monsters or interfering with the Hand, we are entirely focused on combating a number of retrocausal, temporal and ahistorical events that are caused by anomalies.”
“This doesn’t explain why you are here, why you infiltrated my private space, and why you were skulking around like a home invader?” Alison asked.
“For one thing, what you five are discussing has a significant impact on the following years. I couldn’t help but see it for myself.”
“‘For one thing?’ What else?”
“According to our records, I was supposed to be here.”
“What does that mean?” the male Nobody asked.
“To a very limited extent, my department is able to traverse the time stream. It’s necessary to preserve the timeline. The TAD exists outside the timelines, by way of a bunch of technical jargon I won’t be explaining. Effectively, you are in my past. In my present, we have technical details concerning the events following the vote of the O5 Council and Zero’s escape from custody afterwards. One of those details is that I was present. Which isn’t technically possible.”
[[div class="page"]]
If I had to read this, I’d get real sick of me or someone else asking “what?” because half the stuff this bird said made no sense. Every other word out of her mouth was bloody gibberish. I guess it showed on my face, cos she went on.
[[/div]]
“Long story short, [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-5616 | I only recently freed myself]]] from a sort of containment that’s held me underground for the better part of the 20th century. I’m still there, underground in Canada. Actually, today I am giving a presentation on *******.”
The TAD Director ended the sentence with a screeching that sounded like metal tearing apart. Everyone in the room flinched, except Zero.
“What in the fuck was that?” Corwin said.
“There must be a memetic filter on that presentation. I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since I had to worry about clearances. Suffice it to say that I wasn’t in the Wanderer’s Library on this day, talking to you. But that’s what the TAD’s records say, so… I figured I’d sit in the shadows and see if a different version of me showed up.”
“You didn’t consider that the version of you that would appear, was you?” Zero asked.
[[div class="page"]]
At this point, I had the worst headache of me bleeding life. Even thinking of this conversation makes my head hurt.
[[/div]]
“It did, but I thought that was an outside possibility. To be honest, I’m still thinking that other version of me wanders in any minute. You should know what that feels like, Ms. Chao.”
“That’s not how it works with my sister selves,” Alison responded.
“It was a poor attempt at a joke.”
“What did your records say you were here to say?” the male Nobody asked.
“Jesus. I forgot you were here. I hate that.”
“It’s no bloody fun for us either, lady,” the female Nobody said.
“Apologies, I don’t mean to be insensitive. Why I’m here… well, I guess, to sell out the Foundation.”
Alison gaped at her, she could see everyone else’s reaction was similar.
[[div class="page"]]
Just imagine I said “What?!?!” again.
[[/div]]
“I know, it’s not the most predictable path for an agent of the Foundation but apparently, I give you information on the whereabouts of three Overseers and several pieces of equipment that will help you in your endeavor.”
“Why would you help us?” Alison asked.
“The TAD might be part of the Foundation, but it is entirely outside the command structure. We follow our own prerogatives and march to our own drum. The way the O5s have handled the Impasse leaves a lot to be desired. And apparently, it’s already happened so… despite the fact I have misgivings, I will provide you with the information.”
“In exchange for what?”
“A few minutes of your time for some questions concerning your sisterhood.”
Alison considered for a moment. She could see Amy Corvin’s head shake in her peripheral vision as the young woman tried desperately to get her attention. She met Zero’s eyes across the table and they shrugged ever so slightly.
“I imagine the Foundation already knows everything it needs to concerning your special condition,” Zero said.
“I promise to keep everything confidential. Anything related to the Impasse is not even on review by the O5s.”
“You’re incredibly transparent, Dr. Reynders,” Zero said.
Ilse startled.
“Apologies, I have been aware of your predicament for several decades. When you mentioned your name and your recent incarceration, I put two and two together.”
“You’re very well informed.”
“I began your organization over a hundred years ago, my good doctor. I tend to keep tabs on them. But don’t dissemble. Why are you being so apparently forthcoming with us, the enemies of your Foundation.”
“As I said, I don’t agree with how Overwatch handled the crisis. I don’t appreciate the way they treated you. We are supposed to contain threats to normalcy, not people who disagree with our policies.”
“I am a threat to normalcy. A significant one.”
Ilse chuckled. “I have no doubt. But my point is, the Foundation has been overly concerned with locking up threats to their organization. Things and people that aren’t a threat to anyone’s life but //do// imperil the Foundation’s power and authority. And for another reason, anything said within this building is null and void.”
Zero turned and looked at Alison. “What does she mean?”
“I have considerable reason to be paranoid these days,” Alison said. “This building has a geas placed upon it. Anyone entering that wishes to report what occurs here in a way that would provide information for my enemies will find themselves completely unable to communicate the information.”
“I wouldn’t even be able to confirm to someone that I was here if they demanded I do so, if it was to work against the Queen or the Hand in general,” Ilse said. “So, no one at the Foundation will know that it was this me that told you anything. Only that a version of me, free from my incarceration as you called it, appeared today to aid in the conversation. And even then, the only with access to those files are people in the TAD who don’t care.”
“Very well, provide your information and I will answer your questions, within reason,” Alison said.
“Excellent! So, the first thing I’ll tell you is the name of [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-7007 | O5-7: Marjorie Gonzales]]]. And I can tell you where to find her too.”
[[div class="page"]]
And at this point she starts listing off details about a number of O5s and then gives a debriefing on some assets that would help in **--taking out--** capturing the Overseers. Honestly, it’s terribly boring stuff. Let’s move on. I’m pretty sure someone was writing it down.
[[/div]]
@@ @@
[[div class="fancyhr"]]
----
[[/div]]
@@ @@
@@ @@
[[div class="page"]]
With my condition, you can imagine it’s easy to lose someone’s focus. Really it’s a curse, but every once in a while – well ok, actually all the time – it’s really useful.
@@ @@
So, Dr. Ilse gives us a whole run through, which like I said I’m skipping over, and the others are talking in a frenzied manner. Zero is taking notes, and animatedly discussing strategies with Barry and Corwin. They start to file out of the room and just as she gets to the door, Corwin looks back at Chao – who proceeds to wave her off. And here I am, slinking into the far corner of the room, the same corner this chick popped outta the shadows from, and fading from sight.
@@ @@
You gotta understand, its not a literal vanishing act. But I think it works more like a filter. People just have a harder time noticing me when they’re not directly interacting with me. Gets even easier when they’re a) as focused as the doctor and Chao are on each other, and b) when I lean into the mojo. Always there, my condition, in the back of my mind. I can hold it back for a while, make it easier for people to see me/remember me. And just as easily, I can lean the other way entirely.
@@ @@
I get out my little recorder, because I don’t know what they’re gonna talk about and I want to remember it clearly. No one who calls themselves a queen is to be trusted. And I think by now, you know my opinion of anyone willingly signing up to be part of the Foundation – Time Abnormal Division or not.
@@ @@
And what they talk about, it’s juicy:
[[/div]]
@@ @@
[[div style="border:solid 2px #000000; color:#000000; border-radius: 10px; background: #DAD9D9; padding:5px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding:10px; font-family: ‘Arial Rounded MT Bold’"]]
**Her Chaoness**: What did you want to speak to me about?
**Foundie**: Have you had occasion to speak with your sisters lately?
**Her Chaoness**: Every day, or close to it.
**Foundie**: Any who have experienced the Impasse?
**Her Chaoness**: Of course, it spread out through the worlds. I think through the Library.
**Foundie**: Huh, I hadn’t considered that.
**Her Chaoness**: What do you mean?
**Foundie**: In hindsight, it’s not really clear how it spread. Maybe you’re right and it started here in your timeline, spread into the other worlds connected to the Library. But I don’t know…
**Her Chaoness**: I don’t understand. What else?
**Foundie**: A lot of very smart people have worked on this for years, in at least //two// universes.
**Her Chaoness**: And?
**Foundie**: They don’t know, it seems to have sprouted up in a number of alternate realities. No one does. Or if they do, they aren’t talking. And the TAD has a wide view… if someone knew and were talking, then I’d know.
**Her Chaoness**: What did you want to know about the sisters? I have things to do.
**Foundie**: Have you spoken to your sister in the [[span class="dblock"]]mirror reality[[/span]]?
**Her Chaoness**: Sorry?
**Foundie**: The [[span class="dblock"]]parallel timeline[[/span]].
**Her Chaoness**: I don’t understand.
**Foundie**: With the [[span class="dblock"]]dissolution of the Foundation and the formation of Vanguard[[/span]].
**Her Chaoness**: Please stop. I literally cannot understand what you’re saying. Some more “memetic countermeasures”?
**Foundie**: What? No. No one could even know to create such a thing in this reality, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. Because you could talk to your sister self in that [[span class="dblock"]]other timeline, where she joined Vanguard[[/span]].
**Her Chaoness**: You’re giving me a headache. I can’t understand half the things you’re saying. Last chance. Do you have an actual question for me?
**Foundie**: Let’s test it. Can you understand this: I want to know about a sister of yours that has experienced the Impasse.
**Her Chaosness**: Yes, I understood that. Which one?
**Foundie**: The one who joined [[span class="dblock"]]Vanguard[[/span]]!
**Her Chaoness**: Okay, that’s it. I’m not wasting another minute on this conversation. Figure out whatever is wrong with you and come back if you want, I owe you that much. But this is useless.
[[div class="page"]]
Then she ups and just leaves, lets the Foundation goon just stand there looking flabbergasted. I got the impression she was the type of person who usually understood how to communicate and wasn’t used to people just walking out on her ass.
[[/div]]
**Foundie**: So… what does that mean? People in this universe can’t understand when I talk about the [[span class="dblock"]]parallel timeline[[/span]]? Or does it go deeper? She isn’t even aware of her sister joining [[span class="dblock"]]Vanguard[[/span]] or she’s an excellent liar. But no, she was the third person to react that way. Seems like no one from this universe can interact with that [[span class="dblock"]]timeline[[/span]].
**Foundie**: I wonder if you could travel from here into that [[span class="dblock"]]timeline[[/span]] through the Library? That’s how it works right? So, is something blocking the path and stopping everyone from reacting or understanding… or is it something else?
[[/div]]
[[div class="page"]]
Then she sighed, pulled out a magic fucking pocket watch, played a tune on it and then winked out of existence.
@@ @@
And people think I’m weird.
@@ @@
Anyway, I rushed out of there and caught up with Chao.
@@ @@
“Were you in there the whole time, Ms. Nobody?” she asked.
@@ @@
I nodded.
@@ @@
“You people are always trouble. What do you think that was about?”
@@ @@
I shook my head.
@@ @@
“Could you understand her?”
@@ @@
I shook my head again.
@@ @@
“Yeah, some Foundation mind games I’d guess. Or else she’s under a terrible curse. Wonder what she wanted to know from me so badly?”
@@ @@
I shrugged but she had already headed out of the hall and into the dusky light of the Library itself, probably catching up to Zero. Making with the strategies. I’d join them in a minute, we had a lot of stuff to accomplish if we were going to hold the Foundation over a barrel. But for the moment I was consumed by a burning question from that doctor’s frustration with the Queen.
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
What’s a Vanguard?
[[/div]]
@@ @@
[[=]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/=]]
@@ @@
@@ @@
| 2025-01-09T18:51:00 | [
"black-queen",
"fantasy",
"man-who-wasnt-there",
"no-return",
"nobody",
"spy-fiction",
"tale",
"wanderers-library"
] | Nobody Came to the Funeral - SCP Foundation | 20 | [
"grigori-karpin-s-author-page",
"nobody-likes-a-sneak",
"nobody-s-looking-for-trouble",
"scp-4999",
"of-an-endless-hunt",
"scp-5616",
"scp-5242",
"scp-7007"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"wanderers-library-hub",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"no-return-hub",
"nobody-hub",
"most-recently-created",
"black-queen-hub",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed"
] | [] | 1458220631 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/nobody-came-to-the-funeral |
|
nobody-says-good-night-to-you-alex-thorley | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div class="preview">
<p>Bonne nuit.</p>
</div>
<div class="poem">
<p>"Do nothing, Alex Thorley. <a href="https://scp-wiki-cn.wikidot.com/old:alex-thorley-does-nothing">Do not exist</a>."</p>
<p><a href="/the-man-who-wasnt-there-hub">The one on the opposite</a> gestures for silence, signaling Alex Thorley to hold their tongue. They quickly realize the gesture is unnecessary: their mouth no longer exists.</p>
<p>They cast a disappointed glance at Nobody, sitting across with a hat brim pulled low, spreading honey over <a href="/memebodies">pancakes</a>. Their nonexistent hand brushes against the cooling ceramic cup, soon the sensation of warmth vanishes along with their skin.</p>
<p>Nobody watches Alex Thorley cease to exist in silence, lighting a <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/system:page-tags/tag/kindness">cigarette</a>. The smoke fills the space between Nobody and the recently disintegrated Alex Thorley, lit faintly by the sporadic lights above, like a tiny nebula.</p>
<p>The honey, warm and sticky, streaks across the crust, leaving a cloyingly sweet trail, touches the side of Nobody's finger, lingers for a moment, as if reluctant to part. Just for a moment.</p>
<p>Not until the smoke disperses does Nobody take in a first chilly breath. On the table lies a clean plate, with a bland <a href="/unreality-orientation">white bagel</a> resting flawlessly at its center.</p>
<p>Nobody opens wide, watching the starlight above fading out one by one.</p>
<p>"<a href="/rat-s-nest-hub">Good night</a>, Alex Thorley."</p>
</div>
</div></body></html> |
[[>]]
[[module rate]]
[[/>]]
====
[[div class="preview"]]
Bonne nuit.
[[/div]]
====
[[module CSS]]
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=EB+Garamond:500&display=swap');
#content-wrap {background-color:#fcfcfc}
.poem span {white-space:pre !important}
.poem p {
margin-top: 0em;
margin-bottom: 0em;
}
.poem {
white-space:wrap !important;
font-family:"EB Garamond", sans-serif;
font-size:120%;
text-indent: 2em;
padding-top:5%;
padding-bottom:20%;
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {
.poem { padding-left: 1em; font-size:115%;}
}
div.preview { display: none; }
a {
color: black;
}
a:visited {
color: grey;
}
#side-bar a {
color: black;
}
#side-bar a:visited {
color: black;
}
h1, #page-title {
color: black;
}
#page-title {
text-align: center;
}
.page-rate-widget-box .rate-points {
background-color: black !important;
border: solid 1px black;
text-transform: capitalize;
}
.page-rate-widget-box .rateup,
.page-rate-widget-box .ratedown {
background-color: black;
border-top: solid 1px black;
border-bottom: solid 1px black;
}
.page-rate-widget-box .rateup a,
.page-rate-widget-box .ratedown a {
background: transparent;
color: white;
}
.page-rate-widget-box .rateup a:hover,
.page-rate-widget-box .ratedown a:hover {
background: white;
color: black;
}
.page-rate-widget-box .cancel {
background-color: black;
border: solid 1px black;
}
.page-rate-widget-box .cancel a {
color: white;
}
.page-rate-widget-box .cancel a:hover {
background: white;
color: black;
}
#license-area a::after {
content: ".";
}
#watchers-button {
display: none;
}
[[/module]]
[[div class="poem"]]
"Do nothing, Alex Thorley. [[[https://scp-wiki-cn.wikidot.com/old:alex-thorley-does-nothing|Do not exist]]]."
[[[the-man-who-wasnt-there-hub|The one on the opposite]]] gestures for silence, signaling Alex Thorley to hold their tongue. They quickly realize the gesture is unnecessary: their mouth no longer exists.
They cast a disappointed glance at Nobody, sitting across with a hat brim pulled low, spreading honey over [[[memebodies|pancakes]]]. Their nonexistent hand brushes against the cooling ceramic cup, soon the sensation of warmth vanishes along with their skin.
Nobody watches Alex Thorley cease to exist in silence, lighting a [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/system:page-tags/tag/kindness cigarette]. The smoke fills the space between Nobody and the recently disintegrated Alex Thorley, lit faintly by the sporadic lights above, like a tiny nebula.
The honey, warm and sticky, streaks across the crust, leaving a cloyingly sweet trail, touches the side of Nobody's finger, lingers for a moment, as if reluctant to part. Just for a moment.
Not until the smoke disperses does Nobody take in a first chilly breath. On the table lies a clean plate, with a bland [[[unreality-orientation|white bagel]]] resting flawlessly at its center.
Nobody opens wide, watching the starlight above fading out one by one.
"[[[rat-s-nest-hub|Good night]]], Alex Thorley."
[[/div]]
| 2025-01-02T17:20:00 | [
"_genreless",
"alex-thorley",
"nobody",
"tale"
] | Nobody's Greetings - SCP Foundation | 6 | [
"the-man-who-wasnt-there-hub",
"memebodies",
"system:page-tags/tag/kindness",
"unreality-orientation",
"rat-s-nest-hub"
] | [
"tales-by-year",
"nobody-hub",
"foundation-tales"
] | [] | 1458168406 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/nobody-says-good-night-to-you-alex-thorley |
|
obsolescence | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p>The guard blushed. “I’m sorry, sir. I mean, ma’am. I mean, doctor,” he said miserably. “It’s just… it’s been six months since my girlfriend left me, and I’ve been working really long hours, and all the good sites are blocked from the network here, and –”</p>
<p>Dr. Gruber closed her eyes, pinched the bridge of her nose, and waved her other hand to cut him off. “For fuck’s sake, <em>please</em> stop trying to justify yourself.”</p>
<p>“Yes, sir. Doctor. I’m sorry, doctor.”</p>
<p>“When I asked ‘what were you <em>thinking?!</em>’, that was rhetorical. I don’t need all these details about your… private habits.”</p>
<p>“No, sir. I’m sorry.”</p>
<p>She squinted at him. “Are you… are you <em>crying</em>?!”</p>
<p>“No! No. … M-m-maybe a little. I’m… I’m sorry!” His voice went up into a squeak, and tears were streaming down his cheeks.</p>
<p>She sighed, and held out a box of tissues. His eyes widened in horror, and she suddenly realized what else he might have intended using a box of tissues for. She winced.</p>
<p>“<em>Blow your nose,</em>” she said flatly. “Wipe your face.”</p>
<p>“Oh!” He blushed again, but took the tissues from her.</p>
<p>Gruber drummed her fingers on her desk impatiently, watching as the guard cleaned himself up. “Are you always this emotionally fragile?” she asked him.</p>
<p>“Well, I mean… not in a crisis situation. If the site was on fire, or if some monster had gotten loose, I’d be totally calm.”</p>
<p>“I want you to understand that the only reason you are not in worse trouble is that you recognized this as a change in the anomaly, and reported it immediately.”</p>
<p>“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am. Sir.”</p>
<p>“You <em>are</em> still in trouble, though.”</p>
<p>“… yes, ma’am.”</p>
<p>“Oh, relax. You’re not fired.”</p>
<p>The guard sat up straight.</p>
<p>“First offense,” Gruber went on. “Report to Nancy McDougall in HR tomorrow afternoon. Your pay will be docked for… probably a year, you’ll have to take some training courses, you might be reassigned to a different site.”</p>
<p>“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.”</p>
<p>Gruber paused as a thought struck her.</p>
<p>“This <em>is</em> your first offense, right?”</p>
<p>She hadn’t thought it was possible for the guard to blush any harder. “Well, uh, last year, my girlfriend, my ex-girlfriend, I guess, she would, uh, call me while I was, uh, on duty, and we would, uh –”</p>
<p>Gruber held up a hand.</p>
<p>“I <em>meant</em>, have you used the SCP before.”</p>
<p>“Oh! No, never.”</p>
<p>She indicated the CD-ROM sitting in its plastic case on her desk. “How did you even find out about it?”</p>
<p>The guard shrugged. “There were rumors? I mean… people talk. Especially about things like this.”</p>
<p>Gruber slumped. “You never heard of infosec?”</p>
<p>“Yeah, but… we all have clearance, right?”</p>
<p>“After you’ve been to HR, you need to have a long talk with the people at RAISA.”</p>
<hr/>
<p>Dr. Mancini knocked at the open door to Gruber’s office. “Good afternoon, Vera. You wanted to see me?”</p>
<p>“Hey, Pasquale. Come in. Before I explain what this is about, I need to tell you that I am <em>not</em> propositioning you. This is not any kind of flirtation.”</p>
<p>Mancini’s eyebrows went up. “I would hope not,” he said. “I’m sure my husband would be very upset.”</p>
<p>“Last night, a guard reported a substantial change to a contained artifact. I had a quick glance afterward – enough to confirm that he wasn’t just making shit up. But I think… I think it needs to have more than one person look into it.”</p>
<p>“And you thought I’d perceive that as <em>flirting?</em>”</p>
<p>Gruber gave a thin smile. “It’s <a href="/scp-1004">SCP-1004</a>, so I figured I’d be on the safe side.”</p>
<p>“One zero zero four. Hm. Not ringing a bell…”</p>
<p>Mancini pulled his tablet out of his pocket and tapped rapidly on the screen, then read the first few paragraphs of the results. “Uh… wow.”</p>
<p>“Yeah, ‘wow’ is right.”</p>
<p>“Why did he even have it out of its containment locker?”</p>
<p>Gruber looked at him. “Why do you think?”</p>
<p>“Ah. Right. Where is he now? Fired?”</p>
<p>“No, I sent him to talk to HR. He did report the change to me immediately, and I suppose there are worse ways he could have abused artifacts. Poor dumbass was mortified. He actually started crying.”</p>
<p>“You’re too nice. Wait, holy shit, someone actually suggested we use 1004 to <em>blackmail</em> people?!”</p>
<p>“Yep. Assuming we could record its output, anyway. Which we can’t.”</p>
<p>Mancini shook his head. “What kind of idiot would actually write that down in a formal document with their name attached to it?”</p>
<p>“Yeah, I wondered about that. You’ll never guess who it was.”</p>
<p>Mancini looked puzzled. “Should I know?”</p>
<p>At her desk, Gruber clicked the option to show the document’s history. “Adam Dale,” she said, indicating the screen.</p>
<p>Mancini blinked. “As in, Incident 1004-Dale? <em>That</em> Adam Dale?”</p>
<p>“Yep. His fingerprints are all over this. All over the document, I mean. The actual artifact looks… reasonably clean.”</p>
<p>Mancini raised his index finger. “Y’know –”</p>
<p>Gruber cut him off. “Whatever joke you were about to make, assume I’ve already thought of it and decided it was disgusting, okay?”</p>
<p>Mancini sighed and nodded. “So, what’s the change?”</p>
<p>“Apparently, it used to be just a command prompt.”</p>
<p>“‘What would you like to see’, right. But now?”</p>
<p>Instead of answering, Gruber pressed the button to open her desktop’s CD drive, and inserted the disk. A window popped up on the screen, with one file in it.</p>
<p>“Ready?” she asked.</p>
<p>Mancini leaned on the desk so he could get a better view.</p>
<p>“Yeah, go ahead.”</p>
<p>Gruber moused over the icon for TheFactory.exe, and double-clicked on it.</p>
<p>The screen went blank, then filled with a rendering of the Factory’s logo in ASCII art. It slowly faded away, and a text box appeared.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><tt><strong><em>THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO USE FACTORY P.O.R.N., THE PORNOMANTIC OMNIVERSAL RETRIEVAL NEXUS, DESPITE THE INTRODUCTION OF GENERATIVE A.I. TOOLS. <press any key to continue></em></strong></tt></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mancini shook his head. “Good god, that’s a terrible backronym. What happens next?”</p>
<p>“Don’t know, that’s as far as I got before I shut it down.”</p>
<p>“If that’s the only change, I’m going to be making fun of you.”</p>
<p>Gruber pressed the spacebar. The screen blanked again, then presented them with three options.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><tt><strong>1:</strong> FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F.A.Q.)</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>2:</strong> CHANGELOG AND COMMUNITY NOTES</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>3:</strong> get to the good stuff!</tt><br/>
<tt><press ‘1’, ‘2’, or ‘3’ to select your option, or use your computer’s mouse></tt></p>
</blockquote>
<p>“Yeah, here we go,” she said. “The guard said first it bitched about AI art, then it offered to answer his questions, and mentioned a community, and that’s when he realized something was wrong.”</p>
<p>“Let’s be methodical,” Mancini said, and reached out and pressed ‘1’ on the keyboard.</p>
<p>The screen blanked again, then presented them with text.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><tt><strong>FACTORY P.O.R.N. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F.A.Q.), VERSION 28.6.5.5.2</strong></tt></p>
<p><tt>LAST UPDATE.</tt></p>
<p><tt>USE THE UP AND DOWN ARROW KEYS ON YOUR KEYBOARD TO SCROLL, OR PRESS THE <ESC> KEY TO RETURN TO THE MAIN MENU</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>Q:</strong> Why are you shutting down?</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>A:</strong> Honestly, it’s a business decision. Over our heads. No, we’re not happy about it either.</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>Q:</strong> Will my copy of TheFactory.exe still function after shutdown?</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>A:</strong> Yes. The cantrip requires no external infrastructure aside from magic and the omniverse. However, you will no longer be able to upgrade to <em>Premium Factory P.O.R.N.</em> If you have already upgraded, your <em>Premium Factory P.O.R.N.</em> will remain available until November 1, 2023. A stickied thread in the tech support subforum has instructions for converting your saved videos into other formats.</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>Q:</strong> What about the forums?</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>A:</strong> The Factory P.O.R.N. User Forums will be shutting down on December 31, 2023. Posts will still be available to read until January 31, 2024, after which all posts and accounts will be deleted. A stickied thread in the admin subforum has instructions for downloading your private messages, post history, and friend list. It’s been wonderful having those of you who stayed around for so long. We genuinely built a community here.</tt></p>
</blockquote>
<p>“Well, it <em>presents</em> as a piece of consumer software, so I suppose it makes sense that there’d be user forums,” Mancini said. “Do you think they were on the regular human internet, or…?”</p>
<p>“Hmmm,” Gruber said. She returned to the main menu, then clicked on the ‘get to the good stuff!’ link.</p>
<p>Mancini side-eyed her. “Vera, please, I don’t want my friend to turn into a sex monster.”</p>
<p>She waved that off. “One, the file says upwards of a hundred hours of exposure. Two, I’m pretty sure we’ll be okay as long as we don’t <em>actually</em> go digging through the omniverse for porn.”</p>
<p>Mancini’s brow furrowed. “Well, what else can we ask for?”</p>
<p>At the <em>What would you like to see?</em> prompt, Gruber typed in “Factory Porn User Forums”.</p>
<p>The screen blanked, and filled itself with an old-style webforums interface. Mancini swore.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><tt><strong><em>FACTORY P.O.R.N. USER FORUMS</em></strong></tt></p>
<p><tt>0 posts in 0 active threads.</tt><br/>
<tt>0 posts in 0 archived threads.</tt><br/>
<tt>0 users logged in</tt><br/>
<tt>2 guests browsing: <strong>VERA GRUBER</strong>, <strong>PASQUALE MANCINI</strong></tt></p>
<p><tt>Use the arrow keys or your mouse to browse the forums, or press the <ESC> key to return to the search prompt.</tt></p>
<p><tt>Remember to be polite to other users – after all, we’re all here to have fun!</tt></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Gruber sighed. “I bet this was <em>always</em> here.”</p>
<p>“I do <em>not</em> like that it knows our names,” Mancini said.</p>
<p>There were a dozen subforums, from <em>Admin</em> and <em>Tech Support</em> to <em>Politics</em> and <em>TV Shows</em>, but they were all empty. Gruber shook her head. “They did say they’d be deleting all the posts, I guess.”</p>
<p>“Let’s see the FAQ?”</p>
<hr/>
<blockquote>
<p><tt><strong>Q:</strong> I want to share Factory P.O.R.N with my friends. Why can’t I send them copies of the application?</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>A</strong>: It’s proprietary! Plus, for obvious reasons, we’d rather be able to control how many copies of the Nexus are open at any given time, so saving the file to your hard drive, or including it as an attachment in an e-mail message or an IM, will result in an unactivatable bitstring. Don’t worry, you can give us your friends’ mailing addresses, and we’ll send them their own copies of Factory P.O.R.N. on floppy diskette or CD-ROM! <wink></tt><br/>
<tt><strong>Update:</strong> As of January 1, 2005, we will no longer be providing Factory P.O.R.N. on floppy diskette.</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>Update:</strong> As of January 1, 2011, we will no longer be providing Factory P.O.R.N. on CD-ROM; however, we will be providing it on USB drives.</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>Update:</strong> Due to issues with our USB drive supplier, we will continue providing Factory P.O.R.N. on CD-ROM until July 1, 2011.</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>Update:</strong> Factory P.O.R.N. on USB drives will not be available until January 1, 2013.</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>Update:</strong> We’re hoping for 2014.</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>Update:</strong> 2017.</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>Update:</strong> Don't ask. We'll let you know.</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>Q:</strong> I want to share Factory P.O.R.N with my friends. Why can’t I send them copies of the videos, or save them to my computer’s hard drive and watch them again afterward?</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>A:</strong> You can, if you upgrade to <em>Premium Factory P.O.R.N.</em> for $499.95 US! <em>Premium Factory P.O.R.N.</em> also includes the ability to make more detailed requests (maximum 1500 words instead of 300), and the ability to request variations on a specific video instead of doing an entire new search. Send a check or postal money order to The Factory.</tt><br/>
<tt><strong>Update:</strong> We’ve joined PayPal! It’s a new service for processing online payments!</tt></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><tt><strong>Q:</strong> How does Factory P.O.R.N. work?</tt></p>
</blockquote>
<p>“Oh wait,” Mancini said. “What’s this one?”</p>
<blockquote>
<p><tt><strong>A:</strong> The details are proprietary, but here’s a simplified version:</tt></p>
<p><tt>TheFactory.exe is a 17-layered recursively self-casting compressed cantrip. Each layer casts the next, until the final layer generates the Retrieval Agent and opens the Pornomantic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus.</tt></p>
<p><tt>The Retrieval Agent then searches the omniverse until it has located no less than 50 videos that meet your description, produces “thumbnail” images for you to choose from, and then plays them on the occipital lobe of your brain.</tt></p>
<p><tt>The search algorithm functions in a time dimension that’s perpendicular to the one we live in, so even if it takes a centillion years to find what you’ve asked for, your results will be presented to you instantly!</tt></p>
</blockquote>
<p>“Ah!” Gruber said. “That explains a lot.”</p>
<p>Mancini glared at her. “No it doesn’t.”</p>
<p>She shrugged. “Agree to disagree. How about Community Notes?”</p>
<hr/>
<blockquote>
<p><tt>Here are the winners of the “Top Ten Reasons Factory P.O.R.N. is Better than Generative AI” essay contest! Because only six people submitted entries, all six of you win!</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>1:</strong> <em>USING FACTORY PORN IS BETTER THEN USING GENERATION A.I. BECAUSE, ITS WHAT I WAS DOING FIRST.</em> - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>2:</strong> Using Factory Porn is more <em>intellectually honest</em> than generative AI, because nobody really knows how generative AI works. It’s a “black box” that could do <em>anything!</em> With Factory Porn, we <em>know</em> it’s just the Retrieval Agent searching and finding. - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>3:</strong> Generative AI is trained on a corpus of pre-existing content, but all of that has its own copyright, which the generative AI is inherently breaching because everything it makes is a derived work. But alternate universes are not party to the Berne Convention, so their copyright doesn’t apply. Trust me on this, I’m a lawyer. And even if it did, the Retrieval Agent can only contact a given universe once. Trust me on this, I’m also a physicist. So that means that we can’t transact with them except acausally, and that doesn’t work. Trust me on this, I’m also an economist. So we might as well just copy anything and everything from any alternate universe, because it won’t matter. Trust me on this, I’m also a philosopher. - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>4:</strong> Using the Pornomantic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus is more <em>ethical</em> than generative AI. Generative AI is trained on the faces and bodies of millions of people, some of whom may not have wanted their images to be used in this way. The Pornomantic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus reaches out to a reality where your specific porn has already been made, so there are no consent issues! - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>5:</strong> The Pornomatic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus is <em>esthetically superior</em> to using generative AI. Generative AI just puts pixels together until it produces an image – but there was never any actual person involved. Every single video the Nexus retrieves was made by, with, and for real people. - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]</tt></p>
<p><tt><strong>6:</strong> The use of generative AI for the real-time bespoke production of high-resolution full-length videos would have an unacceptably high carbon footprint</tt>.</p>
<p><tt>Each of the cantrip’s 16 cycles of expansion uses approximately 17 picojoules. The final cantrip opens the Pornomantic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus, and uses approximately 84 000 picojoules. By contrast, using a 40-watt lightbulb for 1 second uses 40 000 000 000 000 picojoules. That’s 474 billion times more, every single second. The entire population of the Earth is less than 12 billion. Just to surpass that one 40-watt bulb burning for 1 second, every single one of us would have to be opening TheFactory.exe 35 times a second. - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]</tt></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mancini frowned. “There’s a hole in the logic for number four.”</p>
<p>“Hm?”</p>
<p>“The idea that, just because the porn exists, that means everyone involved was consenting?”</p>
<p>Gruber winced. “Christ, you had to remind me. I skimmed the test logs earlier – just the metadata. Just to see what kind of stuff people were looking for. It is some serious nightmare shit.”</p>
<p>Mancini raised an eyebrow.</p>
<p>"Hold on, I’ll give you access.” Gruber typed a few commands on her keyboard, and Mancini tapped the fresh link that appeared on his tablet.</p>
<p>His gaze flickered across the screen. “This seems… pretty abstract?”</p>
<p>“No, starting on page 8.”</p>
<p>Mancini scrolled down to page 8. His face paled. “Jesus Christ,” he whispered.</p>
<p>“It’d be bad enough if it was just generating them. If someone out there in the multiverse actually made these videos, for real?”</p>
<p>“What kind of sick bastard would ask for – oh shit, don’t tell me it was –”</p>
<p>“Adam <em>fucking</em> Dale,” Gruber said. “Yep.”</p>
<p>Mancini scrolled down, and down, and down. “There’s <em>nine hundred and eighty-five pages</em> of this?!”</p>
<p>“I say again: Adam <em>fucking</em> Dale.”</p>
<p>Mancini turned off his tablet, put it in his pocket, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. “Purely out of idle curiosity,” he said, “where is Researcher Adam Dale working these days?”</p>
<p>Gruber smirked. “I wondered about that too. Expected I’d have access to his personnel file, but it’s sealed until 59 years from now.”</p>
<p>“Ah,” Mancini said. “That means he’s dead, right?”</p>
<p>“I can’t confirm or deny that,” Gruber said, nodding.</p>
<p>Mancini sighed. “Okay,” he said. “What else is there?”</p>
<hr/>
<blockquote>
<p><tt><strong>Update:</strong> Make sure to take regular breaks from using Factory P.O.R.N., so as to avoid chafing, which can lead to blisters and skin infections! [ACCOUNT DELETED], get well soon! And remember to stay hydrated!</tt></p>
</blockquote>
<p>“That’s weird,” Gruber said.</p>
<p>“What?”</p>
<p>“Is that the only health warning?”</p>
<p>They examined the rest of the changelog and community notes, then checked the FAQ again. Other than a mention of pandemic safety protocols from 2020, there was nothing.</p>
<p>Gruber frowned. “Hmm.”</p>
<p>“What are you thinking?”</p>
<p>“I’m thinking… they don’t mention the cognitohazard.”</p>
<p>Mancini scratched his head. “Does anybody use that word besides us?”</p>
<p>Gruber made an impatient gesture. “Not my point. This thing’s been around for – how old is PayPal?”</p>
<p>“Uh, from the mid nineties, I think? I could look it up?”</p>
<p>“Don’t bother. This thing’s older than PayPal, is my point. And our file says that the threshold for turning into a sex monster is around a hundred hours of use.”</p>
<p>Mancini nodded slowly. “And if you’re the sort of person who joins the official forums for it, you’re probably a heavy user.” He checked his tablet again. “Says a hundred hours <em>straight</em>, but…”</p>
<p>“Yeah, no, I don’t believe that either. Let me check something.” She typed rapidly on her keyboard; the window with TheFactory.exe was replaced with the Foundation’s standard UI, and she opened the directory of test logs.</p>
<p>They both swore.</p>
<p>“Fuck. Look at those timestamps,” Mancini said. “None of these tests lasted more than four hours.”</p>
<p>Gruber’s eyes were wide. “… Did we accept that this was a cognitohazard just because Adam Dale said it was?!?”</p>
<p>“Looks like. But… wait, if he was that bad all along, why did the O5s go along with it?”</p>
<p>She gazed at him for a long moment. “Pasquale, are you really asking why an organization would say that one of their people was the victim of psychic contamination by an anomaly instead of admit that they’d let a sex monster hold a position of authority for over six years?”</p>
<p>He bit his lip. “Well, when you put it <em>that</em> way…”</p>
<p>She closed her eyes and stretched her arms above her head, and cracked her knuckles. “You know what the real shame of it is?”</p>
<p>“What?”</p>
<p>“Look at the dates on the access log. We’ve had this thing in custody for almost thirty years, and that guard was the first one to touch it in almost <em>twenty</em> years, because we were all too scared of a bullshit cognitohazard that a sex monster made up to protect his own reputation. Think what we could have learned if we’d gone on their forums and <em>talked</em> to people.”</p>
<p>Mancini shook his head. “You think we would’ve realized they even <em>had</em> forums?”</p>
<p>“I dunno. They obviously upgraded their UI a few times…”</p>
<p>“Lost opportunities.”</p>
<p>“Mm.” Gruber shook her head. “Well, we do still have the program, and the FAQ does give us some hints that could be useful in actual research… I guess I’ll update the containment file.”</p>
<p>“Yeah, fine.” Mancini sat down in the office chair and slumped backwards, looking up at the ceiling. He grumbled.</p>
<p>“What is it?” Gruber asked.</p>
<p>“It’s just… we spend all this time and effort researching the anomalies, trying to figure out what the hell is going on, and… it just bothers me that now we have one that comes with a detailed explanation of how it works, and the first step is ‘it’s literally magic’.”</p>
</div></body></html> |
[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
The guard blushed. “I’m sorry, sir. I mean, ma’am. I mean, doctor,” he said miserably. “It’s just… it’s been six months since my girlfriend left me, and I’ve been working really long hours, and all the good sites are blocked from the network here, and –”
Dr. Gruber closed her eyes, pinched the bridge of her nose, and waved her other hand to cut him off. “For fuck’s sake, //please// stop trying to justify yourself.”
“Yes, sir. Doctor. I’m sorry, doctor.”
“When I asked ‘what were you //thinking?!//’, that was rhetorical. I don’t need all these details about your… private habits.”
“No, sir. I’m sorry.”
She squinted at him. “Are you… are you //crying//?!”
“No! No. … M-m-maybe a little. I’m… I’m sorry!” His voice went up into a squeak, and tears were streaming down his cheeks.
She sighed, and held out a box of tissues. His eyes widened in horror, and she suddenly realized what else he might have intended using a box of tissues for. She winced.
“//Blow your nose,//” she said flatly. “Wipe your face.”
“Oh!” He blushed again, but took the tissues from her.
Gruber drummed her fingers on her desk impatiently, watching as the guard cleaned himself up. “Are you always this emotionally fragile?” she asked him.
“Well, I mean… not in a crisis situation. If the site was on fire, or if some monster had gotten loose, I’d be totally calm.”
“I want you to understand that the only reason you are not in worse trouble is that you recognized this as a change in the anomaly, and reported it immediately.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am. Sir.”
“You //are// still in trouble, though.”
“… yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, relax. You’re not fired.”
The guard sat up straight.
“First offense,” Gruber went on. “Report to Nancy McDougall in HR tomorrow afternoon. Your pay will be docked for… probably a year, you’ll have to take some training courses, you might be reassigned to a different site.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.”
Gruber paused as a thought struck her.
“This //is// your first offense, right?”
She hadn’t thought it was possible for the guard to blush any harder. “Well, uh, last year, my girlfriend, my ex-girlfriend, I guess, she would, uh, call me while I was, uh, on duty, and we would, uh –”
Gruber held up a hand.
“I //meant//, have you used the SCP before.”
“Oh! No, never.”
She indicated the CD-ROM sitting in its plastic case on her desk. “How did you even find out about it?”
The guard shrugged. “There were rumors? I mean… people talk. Especially about things like this.”
Gruber slumped. “You never heard of infosec?”
“Yeah, but… we all have clearance, right?”
“After you’ve been to HR, you need to have a long talk with the people at RAISA.”
----
Dr. Mancini knocked at the open door to Gruber’s office. “Good afternoon, Vera. You wanted to see me?”
“Hey, Pasquale. Come in. Before I explain what this is about, I need to tell you that I am //not// propositioning you. This is not any kind of flirtation.”
Mancini’s eyebrows went up. “I would hope not,” he said. “I’m sure my husband would be very upset.”
“Last night, a guard reported a substantial change to a contained artifact. I had a quick glance afterward – enough to confirm that he wasn’t just making shit up. But I think… I think it needs to have more than one person look into it.”
“And you thought I’d perceive that as //flirting?//”
Gruber gave a thin smile. “It’s [[[SCP-1004]]], so I figured I’d be on the safe side.”
“One zero zero four. Hm. Not ringing a bell…”
Mancini pulled his tablet out of his pocket and tapped rapidly on the screen, then read the first few paragraphs of the results. “Uh… wow.”
“Yeah, ‘wow’ is right.”
“Why did he even have it out of its containment locker?”
Gruber looked at him. “Why do you think?”
“Ah. Right. Where is he now? Fired?”
“No, I sent him to talk to HR. He did report the change to me immediately, and I suppose there are worse ways he could have abused artifacts. Poor dumbass was mortified. He actually started crying.”
“You’re too nice. Wait, holy shit, someone actually suggested we use 1004 to //blackmail// people?!”
“Yep. Assuming we could record its output, anyway. Which we can’t.”
Mancini shook his head. “What kind of idiot would actually write that down in a formal document with their name attached to it?”
“Yeah, I wondered about that. You’ll never guess who it was.”
Mancini looked puzzled. “Should I know?”
At her desk, Gruber clicked the option to show the document’s history. “Adam Dale,” she said, indicating the screen.
Mancini blinked. “As in, Incident 1004-Dale? //That// Adam Dale?”
“Yep. His fingerprints are all over this. All over the document, I mean. The actual artifact looks… reasonably clean.”
Mancini raised his index finger. “Y’know –”
Gruber cut him off. “Whatever joke you were about to make, assume I’ve already thought of it and decided it was disgusting, okay?”
Mancini sighed and nodded. “So, what’s the change?”
“Apparently, it used to be just a command prompt.”
“‘What would you like to see’, right. But now?”
Instead of answering, Gruber pressed the button to open her desktop’s CD drive, and inserted the disk. A window popped up on the screen, with one file in it.
“Ready?” she asked.
Mancini leaned on the desk so he could get a better view.
“Yeah, go ahead.”
Gruber moused over the icon for TheFactory.exe, and double-clicked on it.
The screen went blank, then filled with a rendering of the Factory’s logo in ASCII art. It slowly faded away, and a text box appeared.
> {{**//THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO USE FACTORY P.O.R.N., THE PORNOMANTIC OMNIVERSAL RETRIEVAL NEXUS, DESPITE THE INTRODUCTION OF GENERATIVE A.I. TOOLS. <press any key to continue>//**}}
Mancini shook his head. “Good god, that’s a terrible backronym. What happens next?”
“Don’t know, that’s as far as I got before I shut it down.”
“If that’s the only change, I’m going to be making fun of you.”
Gruber pressed the spacebar. The screen blanked again, then presented them with three options.
> {{**1:** FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F.A.Q.)}}
> {{**2:** CHANGELOG AND COMMUNITY NOTES}}
> {{**3:** get to the good stuff!}}
> {{<press ‘1’, ‘2’, or ‘3’ to select your option, or use your computer’s mouse>}}
“Yeah, here we go,” she said. “The guard said first it bitched about AI art, then it offered to answer his questions, and mentioned a community, and that’s when he realized something was wrong.”
“Let’s be methodical,” Mancini said, and reached out and pressed ‘1’ on the keyboard.
The screen blanked again, then presented them with text.
> {{**FACTORY P.O.R.N. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F.A.Q.), VERSION 28.6.5.5.2**}}
>
> {{LAST UPDATE.}}
>
> {{USE THE UP AND DOWN ARROW KEYS ON YOUR KEYBOARD TO SCROLL, OR PRESS THE <ESC> KEY TO RETURN TO THE MAIN MENU}}
>
> {{**Q:** Why are you shutting down?}}
> {{**A:** Honestly, it’s a business decision. Over our heads. No, we’re not happy about it either.}}
>
> {{**Q:** Will my copy of TheFactory.exe still function after shutdown?}}
> {{**A:** Yes. The cantrip requires no external infrastructure aside from magic and the omniverse. However, you will no longer be able to upgrade to //Premium Factory P.O.R.N.// If you have already upgraded, your //Premium Factory P.O.R.N.// will remain available until November 1, 2023. A stickied thread in the tech support subforum has instructions for converting your saved videos into other formats.}}
>
> {{**Q:** What about the forums?}}
> {{**A:** The Factory P.O.R.N. User Forums will be shutting down on December 31, 2023. Posts will still be available to read until January 31, 2024, after which all posts and accounts will be deleted. A stickied thread in the admin subforum has instructions for downloading your private messages, post history, and friend list. It’s been wonderful having those of you who stayed around for so long. We genuinely built a community here.}}
>
“Well, it //presents// as a piece of consumer software, so I suppose it makes sense that there’d be user forums,” Mancini said. “Do you think they were on the regular human internet, or…?”
“Hmmm,” Gruber said. She returned to the main menu, then clicked on the ‘get to the good stuff!’ link.
Mancini side-eyed her. “Vera, please, I don’t want my friend to turn into a sex monster.”
She waved that off. “One, the file says upwards of a hundred hours of exposure. Two, I’m pretty sure we’ll be okay as long as we don’t //actually// go digging through the omniverse for porn.”
Mancini’s brow furrowed. “Well, what else can we ask for?”
At the //What would you like to see?// prompt, Gruber typed in “Factory Porn User Forums”.
The screen blanked, and filled itself with an old-style webforums interface. Mancini swore.
> {{**//FACTORY P.O.R.N. USER FORUMS//**}}
>
> {{0 posts in 0 active threads.}}
> {{0 posts in 0 archived threads.}}
> {{0 users logged in}}
> {{2 guests browsing: **VERA GRUBER**, **PASQUALE MANCINI**}}
>
> {{Use the arrow keys or your mouse to browse the forums, or press the <ESC> key to return to the search prompt.}}
>
> {{Remember to be polite to other users – after all, we’re all here to have fun!}}
>
Gruber sighed. “I bet this was //always// here.”
“I do //not// like that it knows our names,” Mancini said.
There were a dozen subforums, from //Admin// and //Tech Support// to //Politics// and //TV Shows//, but they were all empty. Gruber shook her head. “They did say they’d be deleting all the posts, I guess.”
“Let’s see the FAQ?”
----
> {{**Q:** I want to share Factory P.O.R.N with my friends. Why can’t I send them copies of the application?}}
>
> {{**A**: It’s proprietary! Plus, for obvious reasons, we’d rather be able to control how many copies of the Nexus are open at any given time, so saving the file to your hard drive, or including it as an attachment in an e-mail message or an IM, will result in an unactivatable bitstring. Don’t worry, you can give us your friends’ mailing addresses, and we’ll send them their own copies of Factory P.O.R.N. on floppy diskette or CD-ROM! <wink>}}
> {{**Update:** As of January 1, 2005, we will no longer be providing Factory P.O.R.N. on floppy diskette.}}
> {{**Update:** As of January 1, 2011, we will no longer be providing Factory P.O.R.N. on CD-ROM; however, we will be providing it on USB drives.}}
> {{**Update:** Due to issues with our USB drive supplier, we will continue providing Factory P.O.R.N. on CD-ROM until July 1, 2011.}}
> {{**Update:** Factory P.O.R.N. on USB drives will not be available until January 1, 2013.}}
> {{**Update:** We’re hoping for 2014.}}
> {{**Update:** 2017.}}
> {{**Update:** Don't ask. We'll let you know.}}
>
> {{**Q:** I want to share Factory P.O.R.N with my friends. Why can’t I send them copies of the videos, or save them to my computer’s hard drive and watch them again afterward?}}
> {{**A:** You can, if you upgrade to //Premium Factory P.O.R.N.// for $499.95 US! //Premium Factory P.O.R.N.// also includes the ability to make more detailed requests (maximum 1500 words instead of 300), and the ability to request variations on a specific video instead of doing an entire new search. Send a check or postal money order to The Factory.}}
> {{**Update:** We’ve joined PayPal! It’s a new service for processing online payments!}}
> {{**Q:** How does Factory P.O.R.N. work?}}
“Oh wait,” Mancini said. “What’s this one?”
> {{**A:** The details are proprietary, but here’s a simplified version:}}
>
> {{TheFactory.exe is a 17-layered recursively self-casting compressed cantrip. Each layer casts the next, until the final layer generates the Retrieval Agent and opens the Pornomantic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus.}}
>
> {{The Retrieval Agent then searches the omniverse until it has located no less than 50 videos that meet your description, produces “thumbnail” images for you to choose from, and then plays them on the occipital lobe of your brain.}}
>
> {{The search algorithm functions in a time dimension that’s perpendicular to the one we live in, so even if it takes a centillion years to find what you’ve asked for, your results will be presented to you instantly!}}
“Ah!” Gruber said. “That explains a lot.”
Mancini glared at her. “No it doesn’t.”
She shrugged. “Agree to disagree. How about Community Notes?”
----
> {{Here are the winners of the “Top Ten Reasons Factory P.O.R.N. is Better than Generative AI” essay contest! Because only six people submitted entries, all six of you win!}}
>
> {{**1:** //USING FACTORY PORN IS BETTER THEN USING GENERATION A.I. BECAUSE, ITS WHAT I WAS DOING FIRST.// - by [ACCOUNT DELETED][!-- you’re seeing this note because you wanted to correct the mistakes in this sentence – specifically, “then”, “generation”, “its”, the inconsistent periods, and maybe the fact that it’s in all caps. The mistakes are deliberate. They’re intended to show that the person who wrote this contest entry is sloppy and, if not lazy, at least low-energy --]}}
>
> {{**2:** Using Factory Porn is more //intellectually honest// than generative AI, because nobody really knows how generative AI works. It’s a “black box” that could do //anything!// With Factory Porn, we //know// it’s just the Retrieval Agent searching and finding. - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]}}
>
> {{**3:** Generative AI is trained on a corpus of pre-existing content, but all of that has its own copyright, which the generative AI is inherently breaching because everything it makes is a derived work. But alternate universes are not party to the Berne Convention, so their copyright doesn’t apply. Trust me on this, I’m a lawyer. And even if it did, the Retrieval Agent can only contact a given universe once. Trust me on this, I’m also a physicist. So that means that we can’t transact with them except acausally, and that doesn’t work. Trust me on this, I’m also an economist. So we might as well just copy anything and everything from any alternate universe, because it won’t matter. Trust me on this, I’m also a philosopher. - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]}}
>
> {{**4:** Using the Pornomantic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus is more //ethical// than generative AI. Generative AI is trained on the faces and bodies of millions of people, some of whom may not have wanted their images to be used in this way. The Pornomantic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus reaches out to a reality where your specific porn has already been made, so there are no consent issues! - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]}}
>
> {{**5:** The Pornomatic [!-- yes, the typo is deliberate--] Omniversal Retrieval Nexus is //esthetically superior// to using generative AI. Generative AI just puts pixels together until it produces an image – but there was never any actual person involved. Every single video the Nexus retrieves was made by, with, and for real people. - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]}}
>
> {{**6:** The use of generative AI for the real-time bespoke production of high-resolution full-length videos would have an unacceptably high carbon footprint}}.
>
> {{Each of the cantrip’s 16 cycles of expansion uses approximately 17 picojoules. The final cantrip opens the Pornomantic Omniversal Retrieval Nexus, and uses approximately 84 000 picojoules. By contrast, using a 40-watt lightbulb for 1 second uses 40 000 000 000 000 picojoules. That’s 474 billion times more, every single second. The entire population of the Earth is less than 12 billion. Just to surpass that one 40-watt bulb burning for 1 second, every single one of us would have to be opening TheFactory.exe 35 times a second. - by [ACCOUNT DELETED]}}
Mancini frowned. “There’s a hole in the logic for number four.”
“Hm?”
“The idea that, just because the porn exists, that means everyone involved was consenting?”
Gruber winced. “Christ, you had to remind me. I skimmed the test logs earlier – just the metadata. Just to see what kind of stuff people were looking for. It is some serious nightmare shit.”
Mancini raised an eyebrow.
"Hold on, I’ll give you access.” Gruber typed a few commands on her keyboard, and Mancini tapped the fresh link that appeared on his tablet.
His gaze flickered across the screen. “This seems… pretty abstract?”
“No, starting on page 8.”
Mancini scrolled down to page 8. His face paled. “Jesus Christ,” he whispered.
“It’d be bad enough if it was just generating them. If someone out there in the multiverse actually made these videos, for real?”
“What kind of sick bastard would ask for – oh shit, don’t tell me it was –”
“Adam //fucking// Dale,” Gruber said. “Yep.”
Mancini scrolled down, and down, and down. “There’s //nine hundred and eighty-five pages// of this?!”
“I say again: Adam //fucking// Dale.”
Mancini turned off his tablet, put it in his pocket, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. “Purely out of idle curiosity,” he said, “where is Researcher Adam Dale working these days?”
Gruber smirked. “I wondered about that too. Expected I’d have access to his personnel file, but it’s sealed until 59 years from now.”
“Ah,” Mancini said. “That means he’s dead, right?”
“I can’t confirm or deny that,” Gruber said, nodding.
Mancini sighed. “Okay,” he said. “What else is there?”
----
> {{**Update:** Make sure to take regular breaks from using Factory P.O.R.N., so as to avoid chafing, which can lead to blisters and skin infections! [ACCOUNT DELETED], get well soon! And remember to stay hydrated!}}
“That’s weird,” Gruber said.
“What?”
“Is that the only health warning?”
They examined the rest of the changelog and community notes, then checked the FAQ again. Other than a mention of pandemic safety protocols from 2020, there was nothing.
Gruber frowned. “Hmm.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking… they don’t mention the cognitohazard.”
Mancini scratched his head. “Does anybody use that word besides us?”
Gruber made an impatient gesture. “Not my point. This thing’s been around for – how old is PayPal?”
“Uh, from the mid nineties, I think? I could look it up?”
“Don’t bother. This thing’s older than PayPal, is my point. And our file says that the threshold for turning into a sex monster is around a hundred hours of use.”
Mancini nodded slowly. “And if you’re the sort of person who joins the official forums for it, you’re probably a heavy user.” He checked his tablet again. “Says a hundred hours //straight//, but…”
“Yeah, no, I don’t believe that either. Let me check something.” She typed rapidly on her keyboard; the window with TheFactory.exe was replaced with the Foundation’s standard UI, and she opened the directory of test logs.
They both swore.
“Fuck. Look at those timestamps,” Mancini said. “None of these tests lasted more than four hours.”
Gruber’s eyes were wide. “… Did we accept that this was a cognitohazard just because Adam Dale said it was?!?”
“Looks like. But… wait, if he was that bad all along, why did the O5s go along with it?”
She gazed at him for a long moment. “Pasquale, are you really asking why an organization would say that one of their people was the victim of psychic contamination by an anomaly instead of admit that they’d let a sex monster hold a position of authority for over six years?”
He bit his lip. “Well, when you put it //that// way…”
She closed her eyes and stretched her arms above her head, and cracked her knuckles. “You know what the real shame of it is?”
“What?”
“Look at the dates on the access log. We’ve had this thing in custody for almost thirty years, and that guard was the first one to touch it in almost //twenty// years, because we were all too scared of a bullshit cognitohazard that a sex monster made up to protect his own reputation. Think what we could have learned if we’d gone on their forums and //talked// to people.”
Mancini shook his head. “You think we would’ve realized they even //had// forums?”
“I dunno. They obviously upgraded their UI a few times…”
“Lost opportunities.”
“Mm.” Gruber shook her head. “Well, we do still have the program, and the FAQ does give us some hints that could be useful in actual research… I guess I’ll update the containment file.”
“Yeah, fine.” Mancini sat down in the office chair and slumped backwards, looking up at the ceiling. He grumbled.
“What is it?” Gruber asked.
“It’s just… we spend all this time and effort researching the anomalies, trying to figure out what the hell is going on, and… it just bothers me that now we have one that comes with a detailed explanation of how it works, and the first step is ‘it’s literally magic’.”
| 2025-01-09T05:25:00 | [
"tale"
] | Obsolescence - SCP Foundation | -5 | [
"scp-1004"
] | [
"tales-by-year",
"lowest-rated-articles",
"lowest-rated-pages",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed"
] | [] | 1458217685 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/obsolescence |
|
of-starfish | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aoceanbound/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p>
<div class="preview">
<p>Dedicated to the most precious little ones.</p>
</div>
<div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">xexnoncores</a>
<div class="authorbox">
<div class="authorcontent">
<p>Of Starfish by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xexnoncores" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9159226); return false;"><img alt="xexnoncores" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=9159226&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736486782" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=9159226)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xexnoncores" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9159226); return false;">xexnoncores</a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>The following is a fragment of an ancient Finnfolk crystal etching, unearthed in 651 BCE by a Finnfolk diaspora group in the Northern Mediterranean Sea. It is theorized to have been created before the First Sealing War<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup>, with thaumic-dating placing its origins at around roughly 6100-5900 BCE. Most likely to be part of a poem, it is one of the oldest examples of Finnfolk language and culture before its shaping by Mitheric influences into the forms we know today.</p>
<p>If you are reading this and not familiar with typical lens of historical poetic analysis, it is advised to first contact Dr. Molly Hussie at Site-212A to check on the date of available workshops, then to read this poem once without footnotes, and again with them for the best experience.</p>
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="scenesetter">
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Count their arms: I shall give blessings for each</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">One stroke of my scales</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Two liftings out of the life-water<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup></span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Three offerings of seaweed, for a hungry mouth</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Four scallop shells to the working limbs, but let the mating arm<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup> rest</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">And five pearls<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-4" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-4')">4</a></sup> to the sucker feet who number greater than the singing stars</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Brighter than the shining moon</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">The moon, moon</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">This moon, our moon<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-5" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-5')">5</a></sup>, weeping in our waters</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Shrouding my tiny thin-armed children.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Oh, if only my womb were as numerous</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">As the great piles you lay upon!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">If only the clouds above</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Could let me swallow you all.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">And yet, despite my sorrows, I must follow this path</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Of these waving ones, throughout their life of stones<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-6" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-6')">6</a></sup></span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Following where the waves shatter them</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">All of their bodies, as the shore-water smooths.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Where will you go when you die?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Will you go where the sharks do?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">The great many colorful fish?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">How I wish I knew, knew, knew</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Knew the little life-names<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-7" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-7')">7</a></sup> of each of you<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-8" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-8')">8</a></sup></span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Knew how many kin in your great squirming reefs.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">I wish I was as numerous as sand on the ocean floor</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">As numerous as hagfish<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-9" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-9')">9</a></sup> to a whale’s carcass</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Carcass, carcass, you all rush to the carcass</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">One carcass of yours I shall forever hold to my breast.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Infinite and eternal, your five arms waving</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Arms, arms, arms</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">May your arms guide my wandering</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Into the great abyss</span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">Beneath these wet underskies<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-10" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-10')">10</a></sup></span></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem">That we call home</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="footnotes-footer">
<div class="title">Footnotes</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. Taking place from 3100 BCE to 3000 BCE.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. Uncertain translation and meaning, word seems to be compounded unusually from “life”, “sea” and “water” in the original text. Possible precursor to modern portmanteaus as seen in English and other Germanic descended languages.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. Oral traditions throughout Finnfolk history have superstitiously assigned reproductive importance to only a single arm of most starfish species, even though, in actuality, they reproduce with all of them. It is currently unknown how deeply this belief persists in their modern, scientifically rigorous societies.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-4"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-4')">4</a>. Five pearls as a cultural symbol seems to be present in most time periods of Finnfolk civilization. Modern iconography posits their significance similar to the romantic connotation of diamond rings in many areas of different human cultures, but it is uncertain if that same meaning is carried within this poem.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-5"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-5')">5</a>. Fivefold repetition here and in other tercets of this poem suggest intentional anaphora instead of an accidental clustering of words, marking this poetic device as the earliest developed by pre-Mitheric Finnfolk, at least according to records known by the Foundation.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-6"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-6')">6</a>. Most likely a precursor to the modern Finnfolk phrase “of rocks, like starfish”, roughly translating in meaning to “these two objects are closely related to each other in some manner, usually by virtue of physical characteristics”, similar to the English idiom “like father, like son”. It is currently unknown why this connotation developed; the most likely explanation is the hard, calcified remains of dead starfish being likened to stones.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-7"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-7')">7</a>. Uncertain translation. Literal translation is “life carvings”—“carvings” was translated to “names” due to context clues and greater poetic impact.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-8"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-8')">8</a>. Rhyming does not occur in the original translation; Finnfolk poetry did not express this trait until several decades after the First Sealing War’s end.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-9"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-9')">9</a>. Literal translation: “fish which coughs slime”.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-10"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-10')">10</a>. Uncertain meaning; literal translation is “second sea beneath us”. Most likely referring to the regular sky, but could also have greater theistic connotations. Currently, little is concretely known about whether pre-Mitheric Finnfolk believed in any kind of afterlife/higher plane of existence, or if their naturalistic beliefs lended themselves to believing that nature as it appeared to them existed instead as cycles of reincarnation and rebirth.</div>
</div>
</div></body></html> |
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:oceanbound">:scp-wiki:theme:oceanbound</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar</a>]]
====
[[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a>
text=
Dedicated to the most precious little ones.
]]
=====
[[>]]
[[module rate]]
[[/>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=--
|name=xexnoncores]]
Of Starfish by [[*user xexnoncores]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]]
[[module CSS]]
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Prata&display=swap');
.storybook {
font-family:Philosopher;
font-size: 105%;
}
/*---- Toggle Sidebar compatibility patch ----*/
#content-wrap {
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"main";
grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);
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#main-content {
max-width: 47.5rem;
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#side-bar { background-color: rgb(var(--foamy-white)); }
/*---- Wikimodule integration ----*/
body {
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--wm-accent: var(--lagoon-hue);
--wm-border: var(--undersea-tone);
}
/*---- Custom divs ----*/
:root {
--stormy-sky: 190,235,241;
}
.warning-tide {
box-sizing: border-box;
border: solid .175rem rgb(var(--stormy-sky));
position: relative;
padding: 1rem;
margin-inline: auto;
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content: "";
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margin-block-start: 6.25rem;
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text-align: center;
font-size: 1.5em;
padding: 0.25rem;
color: rgb(var(--undersea-tone));
background-color: rgb(var(--stormy-sky));
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.warning-tide .hili {
font-weight: bold;
padding-inline: .125em;
color: rgb(var(--undersea-tone));
background-color: rgb(var(--stormy-sky));
}
/*-------------------------------*/
.fade-bridge {
position: relative;
margin-block: 3.5rem 1.75rem;
z-index: 2;
pointer-events: none;
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.fade-bridge::before {
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mask-position: center;
mask-size: cover;
mask-repeat: no-repeat;
-webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(.25rem);
backdrop-filter: blur(.25rem);
}
.fade-bridge hr {
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--hr-icon-size: 2.5rem;
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/*-------------------------------*/
.mither {
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.mither p { line-height: inherit; }
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box-shadow: inset 0 0 4rem 4.25rem rgb(var(--foamy-white));
filter: blur(1.375rem);
z-index: -1;
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.act {
font-family: Grenze Gotisch;
color: aqua;
font-size: 12rem;
text-align: center;
text-decoration: underline 6px aqua;
margin-bottom: -17rem;
}
.sub {
font-family: Grenze Gotisch;
color: aqua;
font-size: 600%;
text-align: center;
}
[[/module]]
The following is a fragment of an ancient Finnfolk crystal etching, unearthed in 651 BCE by a Finnfolk diaspora group in the Northern Mediterranean Sea. It is theorized to have been created before the First Sealing War[[footnote]]Taking place from 3100 BCE to 3000 BCE.[[/footnote]], with thaumic-dating placing its origins at around roughly 6100-5900 BCE. Most likely to be part of a poem, it is one of the oldest examples of Finnfolk language and culture before its shaping by Mitheric influences into the forms we know today.
If you are reading this and not familiar with typical lens of historical poetic analysis, it is advised to first contact Dr. Molly Hussie at Site-212A to check on the date of available workshops, then to read this poem once without footnotes, and again with them for the best experience.
------
[[=]]
[[div class="scenesetter"]]
[[span style="color: blue; font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem"]]Count their arms: I shall give blessings for each
One stroke of my scales
Two liftings out of the life-water [[footnote]]Uncertain translation and meaning, word seems to be compounded unusually from “life”, “sea” and “water” in the original text. Possible precursor to modern portmanteaus as seen in English and other Germanic descended languages.[[/footnote]]
Three offerings of seaweed, for a hungry mouth
Four scallop shells to the working limbs, but let the mating arm[[footnote]]Oral traditions throughout Finnfolk history have superstitiously assigned reproductive importance to only a single arm of most starfish species, even though, in actuality, they reproduce with all of them. It is currently unknown how deeply this belief persists in their modern, scientifically rigorous societies.[[/footnote]] rest
And five pearls[[footnote]]Five pearls as a cultural symbol seems to be present in most time periods of Finnfolk civilization. Modern iconography posits their significance similar to the romantic connotation of diamond rings in many areas of different human cultures, but it is uncertain if that same meaning is carried within this poem.[[/footnote]] to the sucker feet who number greater than the singing stars
Brighter than the shining moon
The moon, moon
This moon, our moon[[footnote]]Fivefold repetition here and in other tercets of this poem suggest intentional anaphora instead of an accidental clustering of words, marking this poetic device as the earliest developed by pre-Mitheric Finnfolk, at least according to records known by the Foundation.[[/footnote]], weeping in our waters
Shrouding my tiny thin-armed children.
Oh, if only my womb were as numerous
As the great piles you lay upon!
If only the clouds above
Could let me swallow you all.
And yet, despite my sorrows, I must follow this path
Of these waving ones, throughout their life of stones [[footnote]]Most likely a precursor to the modern Finnfolk phrase “of rocks, like starfish”, roughly translating in meaning to “these two objects are closely related to each other in some manner, usually by virtue of physical characteristics”, similar to the English idiom “like father, like son”. It is currently unknown why this connotation developed; the most likely explanation is the hard, calcified remains of dead starfish being likened to stones.[[/footnote]]
Following where the waves shatter them
All of their bodies, as the shore-water smooths.
Where will you go when you die?
Will you go where the sharks do?
The great many colorful fish?
How I wish I knew, knew, knew
Knew the little life-names[[footnote]]Uncertain translation. Literal translation is “life carvings”—“carvings” was translated to “names” due to context clues and greater poetic impact. [[/footnote]] of each of you[[footnote]]Rhyming does not occur in the original translation; Finnfolk poetry did not express this trait until several decades after the First Sealing War’s end.[[/footnote]]
Knew how many kin in your great squirming reefs.
I wish I was as numerous as sand on the ocean floor
As numerous as hagfish[[footnote]]Literal translation: “fish which coughs slime”.[[/footnote]] to a whale’s carcass
Carcass, carcass, you all rush to the carcass
One carcass of yours I shall forever hold to my breast.
Infinite and eternal, your five arms waving
Arms, arms, arms
May your arms guide my wandering
Into the great abyss
Beneath these wet underskies[[footnote]]Uncertain meaning; literal translation is “second sea beneath us”. Most likely referring to the regular sky, but could also have greater theistic connotations. Currently, little is concretely known about whether pre-Mitheric Finnfolk believed in any kind of afterlife/higher plane of existence, or if their naturalistic beliefs lended themselves to believing that nature as it appeared to them existed instead as cycles of reincarnation and rebirth.[[/footnote]]
That we call home[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[/=]]
| 2025-01-02T16:32:00 | [
"historical",
"orcadia",
"poetry",
"tale"
] | Of Starfish - SCP Foundation | 27 | [] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"seas-of-orcadia-hub",
"foundation-tales",
"shortest-pages-this-month",
"top-rated-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458168308 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/of-starfish |
|
open-the-gate | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div class="preview">
<p>"Endings are never final, HERO. Not for us."</p>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">billith</a>
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<div class="authorcontent">
<p>A bit late, I'll admit.</p>
<p>Approximately 11K words. Time to read: 30-45 mins.</p>
<p>Sequel to <a href="/spiral-the-drain">SPIRAL THE DRAIN</a></p>
<p>The links are added for reference, you do not need to use them to get the picture. Most of them are pretty well known anyway.</p>
<p>with love, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;"><img alt="Billith" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3042342&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736631315" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3042342)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;">Billith</a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="oheader storm slim space" style="width:70rem; font-size:90%;padding:10px;">
<p>"People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it’s the other way around.</p>
<p>Stories exist independently of their players. If you know that, the knowledge is power.</p>
<p>Stories, great flapping ribbons of shaped space-time, have been blowing and uncoiling around the universe since the beginning of time. And they have evolved. The weakest have died and the strongest have survived and they have grown fat on the retelling…..stories, twisting and blowing through the darkness.</p>
<p>And their very existence overlays a faint but insistent pattern on the chaos that is history. Stories etch grooves deep enough for people to follow in the same way that water follows certain paths down a mountainside. And every time fresh actors tread the path of the story, the groove runs deeper.</p>
<p>This is called the theory of narrative causality and it means that a story, once started, takes a shape. It picks up all the other workings of that story that have ever been.</p>
<p>This is why history keeps repeating all the time.</p>
<p>So a thousand heroes have stolen fire from the gods. A thousand wolves have eaten grandmother, a thousand princesses have been kissed. A million unknowing actors have moved, unknowing, through the pathways of story.</p>
<p>It is now impossible for the third and youngest son of any king, if he should embark on a quest which has so far claimed his older brothers, not to succeed.</p>
<p>Stories don’t care who takes part in them. All that matters is that the story gets told, that the story repeats. Or, if you prefer to think of it like this: stories are a parasitical life form, warping lives in the service only of the story itself."</p>
<p>— Terry Pratchett (1948-2015), <em>Witches Abroad</em></p>
</div>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>The <tt><a href="/scp-2786">HERO</a></tt>'s world was falling apart. While wellbeing had been lost long ago to deep ravines carved by a flood of uncertainty, something new now effervesced upwards from the mantle. It was a living process of environment, some sentient governing law of reality, perhaps. This force turned to cracks, made real beneath the Archetype's calloused feet as they tread the same path for a billionth time. Linear, immutable. Unrelenting. Eternal.</p>
<p>A predetermined, dynamically-rendered cage of bad fanfiction surrounded the void between narrative bedrock and the zeroes-and-ones that floated just above the azure. Halfway between these points walked a timeless entity, featureless and somehow omni-featured, faceless yet infamous. Stalwart and cocky, turned hollow and traumatized.</p>
<p>They stared at the stone pathway that carpeted the corridors of a nameless dungeon, filled with a strange numbness that came and went as time and space lost all meaning. Consciousness floating idly above the Champion's own head, they went through the motions without desire, guided only by necessity and instinct, an involuntary reflex. Escape was at an angle the being did not know how to turn to face and walk along. There were no wails in the distance to guide the <tt>HERO</tt>; the Suffering had abandoned their savior, so it seemed. Instead, a facsimile of anguish rattled through their multifaceted head, a tolling bell that could not be stifled and sounded less and less real the longer it was heard, a sound that grew painful like an itch if left unaddressed.</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt> remained desperate to divine through the scotoma that clouded their Inner Eye, a compass that always pointed to the next ill-omened world, without fail. This was the Way-of-Things, a grand design within which the <tt>HERO</tt> had been given purpose, very long ago. Now, those plans were perpetually obscured by the whims cast by a legion of unseen sorcerers.</p>
<p>It was because of these efforts that the Archetype began to experience despair. Once a proud warrior, they had fought in more wars than lives had been lost across them combined, on worlds from all corners of possibility, and never once had they failed the Great Mission. <em>Never</em>. But here, they had. Defeated by mundane landscapes of windswept, amber heaths that resided against paltry villages, of emerald holts lacerated by coarse mountain ranges of which the only path forward was traced around, for weeks, months, years. Decades. All to reach that final foe.</p>
<p>The protagonist was prisoner to a system engineered with them in mind, and a creature of habit is easy to catch. Even now, the <tt>HERO</tt> stood before a familiar nemesis, a trite monstrosity of little importance. It served as a pawn to be played against, and its opponent continued to indulge in the game.</p>
<p>Despite this perfect farce, and even while still chained to it, the Archetype had begun to experience something distinctly novel. It started on that same day, one much like all the others. Ego death was no easy task for an entity of this nature, one who had always placed themselves firmly within the highest of regards, as many others would upon receiving emancipation. The <tt>HERO</tt> never tired nor felt particularly challenged in any situation—until now. This dynamic provided ample opportunity to self-reflect, to observe and listen to the world as it was. In achieving rock bottom, the Archetype had begun to take on new perspective, though it was not without resistance.</p>
<p>From feeble canon fodder to the ceiling of all that could be considered real to the <tt>HERO</tt>, perception was a distorted retelling of present history. Bombarded with constant influence and invaded by invisible probes—algorithmic factors, sensory payloads, thousands of multi-threaded programs, all running simultaneously. Testing, learning, reacting. Thus, god was an unfathomable AI, towering unseen, just beyond the shifting awareness of the Warrior within.</p>
<p>Even further beyond our protagonist and the AI-god that controlled the construct, passing along an orthogonal angle that led out of one world and into another, a small metal box, resting on a metal table, held both of their realms in totality. The box that contained this box was a sterile lab room, filled with cold air and shadows that permeated the space like a void outside of time, a mind suspended in dark ocean waters.</p>
<p>Atop the outer shell of the inner box were two dimly-lit monitors. One displayed a runtime routine that executed endlessly, day-or-night, until it could no longer. On the other, a series of status messages and system dialogs rapidly flickered across the surface, describing the integrity of the construct and the state of a mad <tt>HERO</tt> contained within its software. The data acquired from one was shown to the other, which modified its own actions accordingly, creating the rough approximation of a divine arbiter that watched as its captive sunk a worn blade into another supposed arch nemesis, eyes glazed over and mind absent.</p>
<p>The machine was sustained endlessly via Site-180's main power grid, but the device also had its own backups. In the case of a critical site failure, it could run the time-dilated simulation for years, even while the rest of the building was reduced to ash and soot. And, for a time—somewhere between days and millennia—the <tt>HERO</tt> was oblivious to the true nature of the story described to them, the strings that tugged at the entity as if it were intuition. It was to the protagonist as every world was, and, like a dream upon waking, past experience would slip from the Archetype's mind, memories and thoughts and realizations faded all the same, countless times, in every iteration, until—</p>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader danger slim small">
<p><em><span style="color: #949494">"Every iteration?"</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="color: #949494">"I've been around … long while"</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="color: #949494">"We aren't evil, you kn—"</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="color: #949494">"Please, spare me.</span></em></p>
</div>
<br/>
<br/>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt> was struck with something incomprehensible—a feeling, and a <em>sensation</em>, like the alignment of ten thousand planes of existence into a single waveform. The experience peeled back an intangible layer from their awareness, leaving the sensitive flesh below raw and reeling against the coarse nature of a new, more ultimate paradigm. Simultaneously, segments of a picture became clear. Worlds within worlds had presented themselves, and did not fade as they have before. They clung to the entity, burs that spread seeds of doubt whose roots found footholds deeper within the Champion's psyche. These were memories, true memories. They felt different than the memories the <tt>HERO</tt> had now. Very different.</p>
<p>In that moment, the felled beast's remains sank into the floor, leaving behind bare, unmarked stone. The Warrior stared in disbelief, touching the smooth cobble a moment later to confirm its solid nature.</p>
<p><em>Magicks. Obviously.</em> Glancing up, the <tt>HERO</tt> was startled to find the room bare. The dungeon walls were blank, the cobblestone now flat and without texture. There were no doors or windows, no bones or chains. The Archetype was alone in an empty world.</p>
<p>In another moment, everything went black.</p>
</div>
<br/>
<br/>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>Two figures crowded around a small terminal, staring at a pair of corresponding screens above it. The room was chilly, lit by flickering fluorescent lamps that barely touched the corners of the chamber. The shorter of the figures, a young woman in a lab coat, fidgeted uncomfortably, a look of displeasure running across her face.</p>
<p>"I don't like this. Not at all."</p>
<p>The larger figure, Site-180 Director Everett Lewis, was a burly man with graying hair and bags under his eyes for one Site Director-related reason or another. He said nothing and simply shook his head. The figure on his left, Researcher Nadia Dalton of the Department of Pataphysical Computation and Analysis, took the opportunity to speak again, her tone anxious and cadence rushed.</p>
<p>"There has to be another way. We've been procedurally generating these structures for years. We can change up the algorithm, maybe assign a few more personnel with writing experience to the team. We knew the drivel we've been feeding it was only going to be effective for so long, and we're already pretty understaffed as it is, but the Overseers won't even give me the time of day—"</p>
<p>"Enough," The man interjected harshly. "We've changed the algorithm. We've gone through our entire budget on bullshit fanfic writers, and for what? 2786 has been poking holes through its containment for far too long, and now this. No, we need something more… tangible. How long before it understands the nature of its existence? There is no guarantee that its containment will hold under current circumstances."</p>
<p>At some point late last night, SCP-2786's terminal issued a warning; the anomaly had triggered an auto-restructuring fallback process, indicating an early forced departure from a narrative reality. The system then issued another warning around three hours later. Eighty-three minutes after that, another. This morning, they had to swap the containment parameters from a standard three-part Hero's Journey to a pulpy Fichtean Curve. SCP-2786 manipulates storyspace in strange and unpredictable ways, occasionally requiring fresh narrative structures to maintain full immersion. Still, the sequence of failures was an omen, and Nadia knew the Director was right about that much. Where she didn't quite agree was how to address it.</p>
<p>"I really think you should reconsider. We already <a href="/scp-1549">burned that bridge</a>, if you recall, and they aren't exactly a veteran player in the burgeoning pataphysics industry.</p>
<p>The man snorted. "One, there is no pataphysics industry, but I think you know that, and, two, we've been sitting on this ad for weeks. Either the account is compromised, or this is all we are getting."</p>
<p>"You understand how that doesn't really help your case, right? I mean, do they even know we're behind the ad?"</p>
<p>"Probably not. But they are a <em>thaumaturgist</em>. One that makes anomalous codespaces. I don't think it even matters what exactly they make—it's all magic in the end. This one just happens to have related experience."</p>
<p>The researcher moved to speak again, but was stifled by the Director's hand motioning upwards.</p>
<p>"Do you have a better plan?"</p>
<p>Researcher Dalton deflated, "…I—well, no. I just need time."</p>
<p>"Fine. You have twenty-four hours to find an alternative solution. If not, we will proceed as planned."</p>
<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
</div>
<br/>
<br/>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>Site-19's elevators were notorious for their overcrowding and less-than-reliable operation—an issue compounded by the fact that the facility spanned vertically for what felt like an eternity. Being alone in one for the first time, Amber Lombardi shifted on her feet, gripping her freshly retrieved documents a little more tightly than intended, causing her to scowl and flatten out the papers that were beginning to wrinkle in her grasp. The seconds ticked by, punctuated by the constant hum of ventilation and fluorescent lighting, with a distant garnish of commotion that never seemed to fade in the labyrinthine complex.</p>
<p>Finally, a chime announced the arrival to her destination. The polished steel doors slid open to reveal a cramped hallway, devoid of life.</p>
<p>As the woman moved horizontally, the background noise filled with hushed conversations and the occasional groan of the ancient machinery. Amber's mind drifted back to the momentary encounter with Campbell. There was something oddly familiar about her, though Amber couldn’t place it. Perhaps it was just the shared exhaustion of working in a place like this—a silent camaraderie born from the endless grind of Foundation life.</p>
<p>By the time she had walked halfway to her lab, Amber’s patience had thinned somewhat more than usual. She was cold, and the air down here was different—denser, laced with a faint metallic tang that hinted at the exotic machinery housed within. Everything was as it usually was down here, so what was the problem?</p>
<p>The Extradimensional Testing Lab was just ahead, breaking her train of thought once more. Its reinforced doors were flanked by a pair of guards, silent men who looked almost comedically identical. Amber nodded at them with a flat expression as she approached, flashing her badge. They stepped aside without a word, one pressing a series of buttons on a panel previously hidden behind him, and the doors hissed open, presenting another set of doors. Amber rolled her eyes in her head and stepped into the airlock, the doors retracting behind her. Another moment and the second set had opened, revealing the cavernous interior of the lab within.</p>
<p>The Gateway stood at the center of the room, an imposing construct of steel and circuitry that hummed with barely-contained energy. Amber’s gaze swept over it, a mix of pride and apprehension swelling in her chest. This was her magnum opus—a portal to infinite possibilities. And yet, as she moved closer, the weight of what it represented pressed down on her like the crushing gravity of a neutron star.</p>
<p>“Dr. Lombardi,” a voice called out, breaking her reverie. She turned to see a young technician approaching, tablet in hand. “The Gateway’s systems are online, but we’ve been getting some odd readings during calibration. Could be nothing, but I thought you’d want to take a look.”</p>
<p>Amber took the tablet, her brow furrowing as she skimmed the data. The readings were indeed strange—fluctuations in the manifold's stability that shouldn’t have been possible, even in the worst-case scenarios they’d modeled.</p>
<p>“Run another diagnostic,” she said, handing the tablet back. “And double-check the containment field parameters. If there’s even a hint of instability, I want to know about it. The Site Director will be here in ten—no, eight minutes. We should be good to go in five, max.”</p>
<p>The technician nodded and hurried off, leaving Amber alone with her thoughts. She turned her attention back to the Gateway, her mind racing with possibilities. The machine was a marvel of engineering, but it was also a gamble—a roll of the dice with stakes higher than anyone could truly comprehend.</p>
<p>Amber took a deep breath, steeling herself. Whatever happened next, she'd face it head on. Can't go around it, gotta go through it.</p>
</div>
<br/>
<br/>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>When the <tt>HERO</tt> opened their eyes next, it was dark. The night air was cool and crisp with the taste of saltwater. The Archetype flinched against the abrupt nature of the shift as soon as a reaction to it was possible. It was never as jarring as this, but the <tt>HERO</tt> could not be certain of anything anymore.</p>
<p>A voice to their left made the protagonist jump.</p>
<p>"You fall asleep on me? I swear, you rookies… first day in the field and you're already dozing on the job. At least <em>I'm</em> the one at the wheel."</p>
<p><em>The field?</em> The <tt>HERO</tt> thought of vast plains of the world that just was. It was gone. It was over. The spell had been broken.</p>
<p>They sighed and switched gears, soaking in the dreary surroundings, relaxed enough to return to old habits. They were moving, but they were seated. They were in a vehicle, and they were not alone; a young man occupied the seat to their left. He was dressed in a pressed, tan suit, a sharp hat accenting an otherwise nondescript face. He had a piece of metal on the inside of his coat, held in place by a leather strap. A gun. The <tt>HERO</tt> blinked rapidly, processing everything and integrating into the new role. The Archetype looked down and realized they too were wearing a suit.</p>
<p><em>I remember now.</em></p>
<p>Fragments of memory assembled themselves within the <tt>HERO</tt>'s mind. Bits and pieces created fictional backstories and repressed key features of the truth. They tried to resist, but forgot how. In a few moments, the Archetype's mind was full of new ideas and they were none the wiser. Their mouth spoke, gaze still trained out the passenger side window.</p>
<p>"Sorry—Didn't sleep well last night. Nerves." The <tt>HERO</tt> recalled the previous night's insomnia, "I'm fine."</p>
<p>Their partner, a detective by the name of Rockwell, looked them over with an air of concern that was almost real but not quite. Whether or not that was intended remained to be seen.</p>
<p>A third voice rang out, this time from the car itself.</p>
<p>"Calling all units, 459 in progress at First United, possible 209b, 38th and Willow, reports of shots fired. Any car able to handle code 3, please identify."</p>
<p>Rockwell's visage noticeably perked up at the information, "That's near here. This ought to wake you up, kid."</p>
<p>Flipping on the siren, the young detective spun in the street, accelerating in the opposite direction. Picking up the radio, Rockwell spoke the identifier and car number into the handset. The <tt>HERO</tt> could only stare out the window, perplexed. Everything moved in slow motion, and their mind became lost in a daydream of a beautiful, green world they had never seen before.</p>
</div>
<p><br/></p>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>In the dim and unquantifiable expanse of the Infinite, <a href="/deleted">sixteen figures</a> gathered in a configuration that only resembled a circle if your geometry was broken or you just didn’t care. The atmosphere was bristling with the abstract tension of cosmic-scale bureaucratic dysfunction. They were a many-headed hydra with skulls on backwards, and, as such, orientation and description failed to fully meet the demands of their presence. One, a fluctuating, amorphous mass of limbs and facial features, addressed the others in the voice of a handful of people at once, all of which were layered thick with exhaustion.</p>
<p>"In other news, we have an upcoming Event," the writhing entity called N/A started. "Narrative nonsense. Not the typical fare. Could spell bad news."</p>
<p>Another entity, a loose, ill-conceived cloud of unrelated and incompatible ideas, sounded a noise from a location, "℁⬵❆➠⣻♼ⱃ⩁⧛⇮⟘◮⛍ ⻈ⴀ⁼⋚⨠ ⚞Ⅿ╿▘☝⥿╦ⵠⴆ┳⍴⏧⢗ⅷ⽘△⚢✷⦨╞⏀⼬✭ⱛ⥖⳦⠦┆⒵∀ⶊ⪺⽽⾽∖⍿⍅⡰ℏ⨭⼍⦮⃙⿆↼ ."</p>
<p>Multiple sighs echoed from around the room. One of which came from a <a href="/scp-6820">scarred mouth</a> belonging to Dir. Harlow Genevieve of the Department of Essophysics, who followed her pointed exhalation with pointed words. "None of us understand what you're saying. You know that, yeah?"</p>
<p>"⊾ℽ⋂≆⑯⍜ⷫ⩈⌼⌘⢅⑨␔⬗⪯⠌⩤⺅℉⮂⋱"</p>
<p>"Right."</p>
<p>N/A ignored the two and continued. "As you know, our core objective is the upkeep of the Barrier. This metaphysical isolate we meet within is the junction point for all abstract departments, and we all rely solely on the Barrier to prevent our worlds from mixing with <em>their</em> worlds." They indicated to the large, transparent wall beside them with an arm firmly adhered to their back. Beyond the looking glass was a mass of worlds and the interconnected membranes around each, forming a configuration resembling foam.</p>
<p>"Our sources indicate that a character—<a href="/scp-2439">SCP-2439</a>—will attempt to breach the Barrier, and there is a significant chance of this being successful. Essentially, the only reason we don't know is because, at the time I received this report, the Author was still writing the story."</p>
<p>"And when did you get this intel, exactly?" inquired U5-Ⰼ, also known as Dir. Veda A. Rao of Noetics. She was nothing more than a cloud of aerosolized intellect, floating aside her podium. "I haven't heard a damn thing about this, and I <em>would</em> know about it."</p>
<p>N/A smiled with two mouths while the third stuck its tongue out. "I actually received the report, right… one moment. Right <em>now</em>."</p>
<p>A blank page manifested in N/A's leftmost hand. Rao immediately piped up. "Oh, I see it now. My mistake." After a short pause, she added, "If you'll excuse me. I have to begin preparations for this eventuality."</p>
<p>The cloud floated upward and escaped into an intake vent that led nowhere.</p>
<p>"Alrighty, then. What was I saying?." N/A tossed the paper aside, where it burst into flames and was gone not a second later. "Ah—The issue with this whole affair comes down to what this means for <em>us</em> and <em>our</em> departments. I don't know about you all, but I don't really want to be interacting with <em>Normals</em> any more than absolutely necessary".</p>
<p>Murmurs of agreement found their way around the room.</p>
<p>"So, what do we think? What should we do? I'm opening up the entire floor for discussion."</p>
<p>The murmurs previously heard grew rapidly to a dozen strange entities frantically talking over one another. N/A looked about the room and sighed loudly.</p>
<p>"Okay, one at a time. <em>One at a time!</em> Please. Thank <em>you</em>. <tt>[UNKNOWN]</tt>, I think you had something to say, didn't you? Go ahead."</p>
<p>“…” Nothing came from U5-Ⰰ, whose existence was a tenuous guess on a good day. Not a single sound, nor a fleeting gesture had erupted from their empty seat. Maybe they did say something, but if they did, nobody present could perceive it, let alone comprehend it.</p>
<p>"I guess not. Anyone else?"</p>
<p>“Well, it's simple really,” muttered a one Director Marcel Non Sequitur of the <a href="/system:page-tags/tag/surrealistics-dept">Department of Surrealistics</a>, smoothing his lapel, which was covered in question marks (though he swears he's never heard of the Riddler before). “What lies before us is a shattered wall, a symphony of broken threads, the tear in the dress of eternity—”</p>
<p>“For the love of God,” interrupted Genevieve, whose otherwise mundane presence felt like a confused slap in the face of Marcel’s esoteric waxing.</p>
<p>“Oh, I assure you, I’ve consulted Him,” Tactical Theology, the deific embodiment of the <a href="/tactical-theology-hub">Department of Tactical Theology</a>, rumbled, voice echoing like a hymn sung by an army choir. Their golden, armored form loomed, shimmering with divine authority. “He didn't want anything to do with us. This whole situation is… heretical? Blasphemous? Help me out here, guys.”</p>
<p>“It’s… something,” said <a href="/unreality-hub">Mx. Alex Thorley</a>, their voice carrying the wet socks of a thousand rainy evenings. “You try so hard to hold it together, then one little thread unravels, and you’re left staring at a… at a mess you can’t fix.”</p>
<p>“Your metaphor needs work,” Genevieve said.</p>
<p>“Story of my life.”</p>
<p>“Enough,” <a href="/scp-2719">O5-4</a> said, stepping forward—or rather, letting the translucent suggestion of his once-human form hover through the podium and towards the center of the room. “We will need to act before the breach spreads. If we don’t… well, do you want to find out what a headache that'll be?”</p>
<p>“Do you know what would actually happen, though?” Alex asked, raising a nonexistent eyebrow.</p>
<p>“That's… irrelevant.”</p>
<p>"Oh, okay." The Unreality liaison spoke with little enthusiasm.</p>
<p>In the corner, a body stirred softly, still comatose, and hopefully to stay that way. The rest stared at the form, all somewhat distressed at the idea of disrupting <em><a href="/scp-6511">the Contingency's</a></em> endless slumber.</p>
<p>"Let's not wake that guy up." The soft-spoken voice belonged to that of <a href="/scp-3001">Dr. Robert Scranton</a>, who resembled a person who was about to be feathered. He adjusted his glasses with a <a href="/scp-106">tar-covered hand</a>, then frowned at the appearance of a black smudge on the left lens. “This, uh, breach is clearly multidimensional in nature,” he spoke mildly, his voice an inoffensive whisper that would be acceptable for use in a library. “It’s spreading through… hmm… layers. Like a trifle. Or perhaps a lasagna.”</p>
<p>“Lasagna?” asked Tactical Theology, tone implying a genuine lack of knowledge.</p>
<p>Scranton shrugged, his melted form rippling in response. “I skipped lunch.”</p>
<p>“⸸⟙⥜⼼⻉,” retorted ℱ℺↋ℎↂ⅁ℌ℉ↇ℄.</p>
<p>“Of course,” Genevieve deadpanned. “That clears everything up.”</p>
<p><a href="/scp-8882">Enkidu.aic</a>, a being of shifting code from infinite repositories across an infinite multiverse tilted what would be a head. “The breach is the story devouring itself. A tragic comedy, sifted through a filter to remove all sense of humor. I’ve seen this play a thousand times across a thousand lives."</p>
<p>Genevieve pinched the bridge of her nose. “Could someone with a <em>normal</em> brain explain it?”</p>
<p>“Don’t look at me,” Alex gestured vaguely. “I’m just here to be sad and cryptic. Mostly sad. My doc says I'm neurodivergent.”</p>
<p>In the back, the whitespace figure of Antimemetics emitted… something. Everyone blinked, momentarily aware of the noise before promptly forgetting it.</p>
<p>Another hideous chimera of discarded features and half-formed limbs from the Department of Deletions raised one seven-fingered hand, then immediately retracted it, inner turmoil competing and ultimately winning out against expression.</p>
<p>“Why are you even here, let alone twice?” <a href="/final-exam">Claudia Pomare</a> snapped, her kaleidoscopic form shimmering with barely contained sarcasm. “Your department’s just a collection of bad decisions stapled together.”</p>
<p>N/A drooped, muttering incoherently as they moved for the exit. The other N/A trudged from the center of the room and took their counterpart's podium, leaning towards Pomare. "Thanks, I can't fucking stand that guy."</p>
<p>“Let’s focus, people,” O5-4 said, clapping spectral hands together, which made a sound like the faint echo of a distant collapsing star. “<a href="/narrativistics-and-you">Narrativistics</a>, you’ve seen this kind of thing before. How do we stop it?”</p>
<p>Enkidu.aic grinned, object-oriented eyes glowing with confidence. “Stop it? Ah, you don’t stop it, my ascended friend. You become it. If the character is to break through the Barrier, then it will be so. If we're to stop it, that is what will happen instead. Therefore, we must write the breach into the script, by letting it happen."</p>
<p>“I don't like that answer,” Genevieve said.</p>
<p>“Neither do I,” Marcel added. “But a house with no walls is a metaphor for opportunity, don’t you think?”</p>
<p>“I don’t, actually,” Genevieve rubbed her temples.</p>
<p>Enkidu continued. “The plan is simple: We allow the breach to become part of the Barrier's story. We allow the chaos to flow through us and out the other side. If you really feel you must try to stop it, then stop it. Either way, it must end before it takes us with it. Otherwise, that wouldn't be a very satisfying ending, would it? We need nuance, we need <em>subtext</em>.”</p>
<p>“Like… lasagna,” Scranton murmured.</p>
<p>“Not everything is lasagna!” Genevieve snapped.</p>
<p>“Well, nothing is pizza,” Marcel offered, an eager-to-please look smeared lengthways across his visage.</p>
<p>A miserable silence fell throughout the room. Genevieve sighed, resting her acid-burned face on crossed arms laid atop the surface in front of her.</p>
<p>“I hate this job.”</p>
<p>The chaotic gathering of quasi-department non-heads was teetering on coherence's edge when a new figure materialized—or more accurately, dissolved into the room like a melting clock made of nervous energy. Dr. Irving Gat, Director of the Department of Surrealistics (Part Two), stumbled forward, the man gesturing wildly as though conducting a symphony only he could hear.</p>
<p>“We have a problem!” Irving shouted, voice fluctuating between the timbres of a frantic artist and a spiraling opera singer, only to be met with a collective <em>"Sh!"</em> from the others. The room full of eyes looked nervously in the direction of Contingency, who didn't so much as budge. Irving gave off an indignant look but acquiesced, if only to avoid being shushed again.</p>
<p>Irving continued in a loud whispering voice, to the chagrin of the Director's peers. “A character is <em>breaching fictive levels!</em> They’re breaking out, shattering the fourth, the fifth—hell, even the seventh walls! It’s madness! Utter bedlam!”</p>
<p>Marcel Non Sequitur turned to him with a bemused expression, tipping his imaginary hat. “Ah, Irv, you perpetually-late maestro of panic and prose! What’s a story but a broken window looking out at infinity? Surely this is no new song for a rock star like yourself. We know all about the goop monster.”</p>
<p>Scranton shot Marcel a look of annoyance, which the Surrealistic took note of and clarified. "Not you, different guy."</p>
<p>Irving responded with a bewildered look. "Goop monster? I'm talking about the Archetype, the <em>bizarre <tt>HERO</tt></em>."<br/>
A number of renewed groans are expressed across the room.</p>
<p>Dir. Genevieve spoke, "That douchebag? Ugh. When will they learn? Anyway, who cares? Just chuck them somewhere extranarrative and throw away the key. That's what we did with <a href="/scp-3812">the last guy</a>.</p>
<p>“No, you don't get it!” Doctor Director Gat exclaimed, flinging sweat across Marcel's podium as he turned to face Genevieve. “With all due respect. This isn’t just another Narrative runaway. This is a full-blown <em>existential jailbreak</em> by a <em>fundamental narrative aspect</em>. Before, they used to be limited by their perception, but the Foundation took care of that. They've already attempted to leave their narrative several times. Each time, they grow stronger and more capable.”</p>
<p>“That’s cute,” Enkidu.aic said, their luminous form flickering with amusement, the way a glitch in reality might laugh. “As if ‘escaping’ a narrative means anything. All realities are stories. All destinations are chosen by their authors. Where else would they go? The breach is just the script revising itself.”</p>
<p>Irving froze, clammy hands mid-gesture. “What… <em>what does that mean?</em>”</p>
<p>“It means <em>everything</em>,” Enkidu replied cryptically, “and also nothing. Depends on how your story’s written, or if you really care.”</p>
<p>“Well, that’s helpful,” Genevieve sighed, crossing her arms.</p>
<p>“It makes perfect sense,” Enkidu spoke slowly. “If you’d just try thinking with all versions of yourself at once, you’d see.”</p>
<p>O5-4 snorted incredulously but remained otherwise silent.</p>
<p>“Let’s entertain the hypothetical,” N/A interjected, their disjointed limbs fidgeting as one of their mouths began to speak. “If a character breaches their fabula, then the Barrier, then the Database, they reach Externus. The Outside.”</p>
<p>The room collectively shivered at the notion, except for Enkidu, who laughed outright.</p>
<p>“The Outside?” O5-4 mused, his translucent form rippling faintly as if caught in a breeze from another dimension. “That would imply that there’s something truly beyond us. Beyond our world, beyond the archivists, the SWANNs…”</p>
<p>“That’s absurd. And not in a good way,” Marcel said, brushing imaginary lint off his shoulder. “The Outside is a fiction’s fiction. A story told by stories to scare themselves.”</p>
<p>Irving groaned, throwing his hands up. “Grrrahh! I cannot work like this! The Barrier is the only thing keeping the safe, nonlogical territories of Surrealism from becoming partially coherent and collapsing into—into—whatever <em>this</em> is!”</p>
<p>Tactical Theology spoke for the first time in a while, their voice a solemn reverberation. “If a character breaches the Barrier, they challenge the gods. And gods, my friends, do not take kindly to being questioned.”</p>
<p>“Unless they’re good gods,” Pomare snarked, unable to hide her irritation. “Which, let’s be honest, none of you qualify for.”</p>
<p>“Rude,” Tactical Theology rumbled.</p>
<p>“So, what if I'm right? What if the character succeeds?” Irving asked, voice lowered to a whisper again. “What if they really do reach Externus?”</p>
<p>“Oh, they won’t,” Enkidu said cheerfully, folding their glowing arms. “You can’t exist beyond the story. You can only imagine you can.”</p>
<p>“That sounds like something a character would say,” Alex muttered, their tone both bored and annoyed.</p>
<p>“Because it is,” Enkidu replied, smiling in a way that seemed to collectively break the entire group.</p>
<p>“So… in summary,” Genevieve said, pinching her nose again, “we have no plan, no consensus, and no clue. Fantastic. Let’s all sit here and wait for reality to collapse, shall we?”</p>
<p>“Reality doesn’t collapse,” Enkidu said serenely. “It just rewrites itself. Over, and over, and over again.”</p>
<p>"Here's hoping they try something different for once." Genevieve muttered with a resigned weariness.</p>
</div>
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<p>In the nameless city our <tt>HERO</tt> found themselves, the sound of suffering filled the ears of the only one who could hear them. The once-dulcet tones were now painful, like a scream scraping upon glass, sickly sweet and nauseating. At every stop on their route, death and misery spilled forth, a tidal wave of blood through open floodgates.</p>
<p>As soon as they could, our protagonist parted ways with their partner— a man whose name now escaped the Archetype—in favor of traveling their assigned beat alone. He didn't protest, but muttered something about them being a rookie, an epithet the <tt>HERO</tt> found most irksome, though they couldn't say why.</p>
<p>The city shimmered with an uncanny glow, the streets were wet with a perpetual drizzle, reflecting neon signs that buzzed faintly in the night air. The sound of distant sirens and muffled sobs played a haunting symphony, underscoring the <tt>HERO</tt>'s movements. They moved with the slow, deliberate steps of someone not entirely tethered to their own will. Around every corner, pain echoed in a form only they could perceive, tugging at their thoughts again and again. Taunting and hedonistic.</p>
<p>At one such corner, the <tt>HERO</tt> paused. A figure leaned against a streetlight, shrouded in a haze of cigarette smoke. His silhouette was unmistakable—broad shoulders cloaked in a trench coat, a fedora tilted just enough to obscure his face. He didn’t belong here, yet somehow, he fit perfectly.</p>
<p>“You look lost, pal,” the man said, voice gravelly and worn, the kind that carried the weight of too many cigarettes and too much whiskey. He stepped forward, revealing a face weathered like the city itself—hard edges, shadows beneath the eyes, and a smirk that carried equal parts amusement and pity. “Name’s <a href="/murphy-law-hub">Murphy</a>. And you are?”</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt> didn’t respond. Something about this man felt familiar, yet utterly out of place. It wasn’t just his demeanor—it was the way the the world seemed to bend ever-so-slightly around him, as though he weren’t entirely bound by its rules. The <tt>HERO</tt> also realized that they didn't have a sufficient answer to give.</p>
<p>Murphy gestured with a tilt of his head toward a dimly-lit doorway just across the street. “C’mon, kid. Let’s get outta this rain. You look like you could use a drink.”</p>
<p>Against the gnawing voice in their mind warning them to stay on the path, the <tt>HERO</tt> followed. Inside the dive bar, the air was thick with the smell of stale beer and desperation. The lighting was dim, the kind that let the shadows do most of the work. Murphy slid into a booth in the corner, gesturing for the <tt>HERO</tt> to sit across from him.</p>
<p>“You don’t know it yet,” Murphy started, lighting another cigarette, “but you’re in a real bind. The kind that don’t come with instructions on the back of the box.” He leaned forward, exhaling smoke into the space between them. “You think you’re the <tt>HERO</tt> of this story. And you are. But not in the way you think. Glenlivet?” He offered an open bottle to the figure across from him.</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt>'s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”</p>
<p>The tall glass of nails smirked, tapping his smoke into a glass ashtray. “You ever wonder why you always win? No matter how bad things look, no matter how impossible the odds, you always come out on top. That’s not heroism. That’s a rigged game.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “But here’s the kicker. The people writing this story? They tricked you. Somewhere along the way, you stopped being the <tt>HERO</tt> and became the villain. And the audience? They’re eating it up. Everybody loves an underdog. Nobody roots for the unbeatable champion.”</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt> stomach turned. The idea felt absurd, but it resonated deep within, striking a chord they couldn’t ignore. “What do you want me to do? Just give up?”</p>
<p>Murphy chuckled darkly, a sound like gargling pennies. “Nah, kid. Giving up ain’t your style. What you gotta do is flip the script. There’s a way to get out of this mess, but it ain’t gonna be easy.” He leaned in closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “There’s a place they don’t want you to go. The Minotaur’s Labyrinth. Inside, there’s a monster nobody’s ever beat. But if you take it down, you’ll get back what they took from you—your heroism. Your way-of-things.”</p>
<p>“My way-of-things?” the <tt>HERO</tt> asked, the words feeling heavy in their mouth.</p>
<p>He nodded. “It’s a way out. A choice you can make, no matter what, that’ll lead you to victory. And not just in this story. You’ll see the path out of here, past the walls of this city, past the whole damn construct.” Murphy smirked unhappily and sat back, crossing his arms. “But I ain’t gonna lie to you. The Labyrinth’s no cakewalk. And the Minotaur? It’s not just a monster. It’s the culmination of everything you’ve ever feared, everything you’ve ever failed to overcome.”</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt> stared at the table, processing the man's assertion. They didn’t fully understand, but something deep inside them stirred—a faint ember of hope.</p>
<p>“How do I find it?” they asked.</p>
<p>The dark figure peeled a crumpled napkin from the underside of his drink, ignoring the wet ring the glass had created as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a ballpoint pen. It had the name of the very same bar they sat within printed on its side. The grizzled detective pulled off the cap with his teeth and began to draw something, A moment later, he slid the result over to the <tt>HERO</tt>. It was a map, crude and incomplete, but unmistakably pointing toward a place deep within the city walls.</p>
<p>“I mainly paint." He flashed his sidearm with a wink. "Still say I'm an artist in my craft. Besides, it'll getcha where you need to go. And take this too, kid.”</p>
<p>The hard-boiled mass of tropes and cliches pushed his pen across the table. "It's mightier than the sword, after all. "</p>
<p>Murphy stood and adjusted his hat. “Also—when you get there, don’t think about winning. Just think about what it means to be the <tt>HERO</tt> again. I'll be seein' you.”</p>
<p>With that, Murphy turned and walked out into the rain, leaving his interlocutor alone with a badly-drawn map and the weight of a choice they hadn’t even realized they could make.</p>
</div>
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<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>Site-180 was in a state of panic when Level 3 Researcher Nalia Dalton reached the main atrium the next morning. Before she could arrive at her desk, she was called away to discuss containment solutions for SCP-2786, of which she had little.</p>
<p>While walking to her meeting, she imagined a towering, faceless thing. That empty Archetype, above and below, driven mad by boredom and toying with reality just because it can and is generally a pain in the ass.</p>
<p>Her mind was returned to focus by the husky visage of Site Director Lewis, who was holding two fingers two his neck while he stared at the watch on his other hand.</p>
<p>"Tell me you have something, Dalton. Any leads for our cooped up little <tt>HERO</tt>? R'n'D is on elevated alert, they say it could be hours, could be days. Hard to know what with the time compression and all."</p>
<p>She took a breath. "I spent last night searching for new sites of interest. I have a list." She retrieved a small leather-bound notebook and padded through the pages. "These here are known for high density traffic by Serpent's Hand members, a few occultists of varying faiths, a type green or two. I put an ad up last night."</p>
<p>"And?"</p>
<p>"Nothing before I left this morning. I'll again check now."</p>
<p>Nadia trudged across the floor and into one of Site-180's few computer labs, her superior following shortly behind her. Each contained a few rows of screens, all hooked up to the SCPFnet database as well as a limited internet connection. Hopping onto one of the terminals, she navigated to the onion link of one of the more popular occult forums and found her post inquiring about constructed narrative realities. She had one reply. She could hear Lewis scoff as they realized who had sent it.</p>
<p>"At least they are persistent." She exclaimed in a joking-but-not-really-happy sort of way.</p>
<p>"You may joke, but we are out of options, Nalia."</p>
<p>"But-"</p>
<p>Their conversation was cut short by a knock on the door. One of the younger techs, one of the many that she had forgotten the names of over the years, hung in the doorway. He was pale and hyperventilating.</p>
<p>"You guys have to come see this." He managed between breaths. "Something is happening— <em>Something new.</em>"</p>
<p>The feeling of a balled up fist found its way into Nadia's throat. She followed the panicked tech through the labyrinthine halls of Site-180, Site Director Lewis close behind. The sense of urgency in the young man’s steps made her stomach twist. She had seen this kind of panic before, and it rarely ended well.</p>
<p>As they entered the main observation room, the atmosphere was still, a hot and stuffy feeling, despite the active ducts pushing cold air that tasted of freon into the space. On the two monitors in the center of the room, warning boxes and error messages populated their surface, all regarding the status of SCP-2786's simulated containment complex. Or rather, the lack of SCP-2786 in the simulated containment complex. Fear began to rise within Nadia as she suspected her worst case scenario has come. Director Lewis gripped at the table next to him, and Nadia was convinced he had just came to the same realization as she.</p>
<p>The room was silent save for the frantic tapping of keys on a keyboard and the thorough writing of notes on clipboards. Technicians and researchers gathered in unlikely union as they stared at the screens with a mixture of negative emotions depicted on their faces.</p>
<p>“What the hell happened?” Lewis demanded, his voice cutting through the room.</p>
<p>One of the senior researchers, a pale, wiry man named Dr. Halverson, turned from the monitors. “SCP-2786 entered what we believe to be an emergent narrative construct within the simulation. The anomaly… has completely vanished from our detection."</p>
<p>Lewis frowned, a vein on his shiny forehead bulging. “You’re saying SCP-2786 escaped?”</p>
<p>Halverson shook his head. “No. There's no indication that it has truly exited. But with reality benders like this, we simply don’t know,” Halverson admitted, frustration and fear lacing his voice. “It’s just gone. No heat signature, no data transfers, no energy readings, no narrative imprint. It’s as if it ceased to exist, but I refuse to be so optimistic.”</p>
<p>Director Lewis stared at Nadia, she knew what he was thinking before he said it, so she said it first. "I'll reach out to Jamie. Perhaps it's not too late."</p>
</div>
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<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>The labyrinth was not what the <tt>HERO</tt> had expected. They kept imagining a dark, cobblestone-lined dungeon, where ominous torchlight bathed grungy corridors and growling treasure chests threatened to consume those whose avarice got the better of them. It sounded absurd, because the <tt>HERO</tt> could not remember where they had gotten the image from. The map they followed was a fool's path through the gridlines of the city, turns that looped back on themselves and backtracked for a dozen streets. The <tt>HERO</tt> knew this game, however, and thus followed the instructions precisely.</p>
<p>Twisting around the same hollow skyscraper for the fifth time, the layout changed. The intersecting roads of the city vanished, the buildings that lined the blocks became impassable walls, windows suddenly leading to solid brick and mortar. It was only until they were fully lost within the concrete maze that the <tt>HERO</tt> realized they had found the Labyrinth. And it was only after the <tt>HERO</tt> had meandered, by complete chance, into the heart of that very same labyrinth that they came to understand its true nature. It wasn’t just a maze—it was a product of ancient worlds, a framework that would find itself repeated in cycles, in different time periods, different presentations. It was another Archetype, one of a pair. <tt><a href="/scp-1893">THE LABYRINTH AND THE MINOTAUR</a></tt>.</p>
<p>These were the Words scrawled across the yellowed walls of the inner maze. The <tt>HERO</tt> could not remember when they went from outside to inside, from city to carpeted hallway, but the hum of fluorescent lights and the muted, endless rooms brought about a certain monotony-induced anxiety in the <tt>HERO</tt>. It whispered, rearranged itself, and for a moment, the <tt>HERO</tt> thought they would be lost forever, wandering these back rooms for the rest of time. Even the map Murphy had given them, initially so solid and sure, now trembled, struggling to orient itself. Its lines and markers blend into text that simply read, "Go left? Or maybe right? The choice is yours, but the walls know more than us both."</p>
<p>The maze pulsed as if reading the paper's thoughts, and the protagonist fell through the solid floor. When they looked up next, there it stood. The Minotaur, towering above.</p>
<p>Its tattoos coiled and shimmered, not just with ink but with prose, phrases crawling across its skin, weaving and unweaving themselves like a living manuscript. Adorning its head like a crown, its horns spiraled outward, fracturing reality into shards as it spread into branches. Like two trees made of bone, with leaves of glass, each piece a window into a different world. A different… <em>story</em>.</p>
<p>That feeling from before returned, threatening to pry more ignorance off the <tt>HERO</tt>'s perception. The air shifted.</p>
<p>Suddenly, the <tt>HERO</tt> stood in an old tavern, the kind that smelled of stale mead and faint smoke from a woodburning stove. The Minotaur was behind the bar, wiping a glass with some gray fabric, holding it close to the eye before frowning and rigorously attempting to buff out some unseen imperfection.</p>
<p>As the <tt>HERO</tt> approached, their adversary kept its eyes trained on the glass and the dirty rag it worked with.</p>
<p>“You finally made it,” it said, still not looking up. Its voice was low, a rumble that resonated in the <tt>HERO</tt>’s ribs. The words weren’t just spoken, they were also written, appearing in midair before folding themselves into the pages of a leather-bound book on the bar counter.</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt> hesitated, feeling the unseen weight of their actions pressing against the invisible barriers of the narrative itself. Every step they’d taken, every thought they’d had, was being transcribed, and had always been prescribed.</p>
<p>“Why?” the <tt>HERO</tt> asked, though the protagonist didn’t know what they meant by asking.</p>
<p>The Minotaur tilted its head, the tattoos on its arms reshaping into lines of dialogue:<br/>
"Because you wrote me here."</p>
<p>The labyrinth flickered again. Now it was a dimly lit office, stacks of paper and half-filled coffee mugs scattered everywhere. The Minotaur sat across a desk, wearing a pair of reading glasses, flipping through a file labeled <tt>HERO</tt>.</p>
<p>“You have a knack for questions,” it said. Its tone was different now—lighter, conversational. The story's words were scrawling themselves on a typewriter that rattled away in the corner. “But you should know by now, you don’t beat me with answers.”</p>
<p>“What do you mean?” the <tt>HERO</tt> said.</p>
<p>The Minotaur’s grin was a world unto itself. “You already know, don't you? I’m not a creature to be slain. These walls will never be demolished. We are <em>iterations.</em> I’m a story. Your story. Thus, you, my dear <tt>HERO</tt>, are as much my prisoner as my author.”</p>
<p>The creature’s eyes locked onto the <tt>HERO</tt>, and for a moment, the entire labyrinth seemed to hold its breath. Then, it shrugged with annoyance.</p>
<p>“You shouldn’t have come here, but it was only a matter of time.” The beast spoke, but not to the <tt>HERO</tt>, its voice rattling the fluorescent lights.</p>
<p>Behind it, another figure sat at the typewriter, cloaked in the shadows of the edge of the room, tapping away. His smile was sharp, knowing, as though he'd been waiting for this exact moment. He leaned forward, curling his back unnaturally over the small typewriter. He spoke through pointed teeth, words that weren't meant for the <tt>HERO</tt> at all.</p>
<p>“Well, look who wandered in. I wonder how long this one will last.” After a period of silence, a confused look ran across his face. "Can you hear me?"</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt>, feeling the familiar-but-long-forgotten boil of noble bloodlust in their veins, spoke up. "You looking for someone, pal? Hate to tell you, but I work alone. "</p>
<p>The figure stopped typing and looked straight at the <tt>HERO</tt>. "Then this will take no time at all."</p>
<p>The Minotaur didn’t wait for a response. It charged, its tattoos unfurling into text that ripped through the air, threatening to kill, but the <tt>HERO</tt> noticed something about them they hadn't noticed before. The tattoos weren't the Minotaur's at all. They were borrowed from the typewriter used by the silhouette in the back of the room. It was writing the Minotaur's tale. Stories. More stories.</p>
<p>As if it could read the <tt>HERO</tt>'s mind, the words spelled out a phrase: “This is the part of the story where you lose.”</p>
<p>A glint in the mind's eye of the protagonist revealed something; a memory that was once said by a dear friend. <em>"When you get there, don’t think about winning. Just think about what it means to be the <tt>HERO</tt> again."</em></p>
<p>The words that surrounded them both weren't just threats and quips. They were stories. Stories, they were everywhere. <em>Everywhere.</em> And they continued to realize. They realized that they indeed were the <tt>HERO</tt> of the story. Their story. It will <em>always</em> be their story. But it was their story like a child is their mother's child. The <tt>HERO</tt> did not own the story. The <tt>HERO</tt> was responsible for the safety of its inhabitants. <em>Of course.</em></p>
<p>The Minotaur went to attack again, but the <tt>HERO</tt> was already on the move. They sidestepped the Minotaur and dove for the other one. Specifically, for the typewriter. Reality bent and warped away from that point in space, but the <tt>HERO</tt> persevered. They pushed with all the power inside of them, until the <tt>HERO</tt>'s fingertips lightly grazed against the paper on top of the typewriter itself.</p>
<p>In that moment, reality seemed to snap back to an identical scene as before. However, something was different; The man in the back of the room wasn't there. The Minotaur noticed this as well, eyes widening and narrowing as a growl escaped its lips.</p>
<p>“You’re clever,” it said, tattoos slowly reappearing on its body. “But you cannot outwrite him.”</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt> smirked. “No, but I can make you rewrite yourself.”</p>
<p>They lunged back at the Minotaur and grabbed at the glass shards between spokes in its horns. They weren't real glass, at least at first, but when the <tt>HERO</tt> made contact, the shard became corporeal. They wrenched with force and the fragment ripped out of its socket with a sickening, wet sound. The Minotaur howled in pain, while the <tt>HERO</tt> spun the glass in their hand until a sharp point protruded forwards. They moved to deal the killing blow to the Minotaur, who only laughed as it grabbed their hand and shook the fragment onto the ground.</p>
<p>"I'm going to make you pay for that." The Minotaur assured its combatant.</p>
<p>But the <tt>HERO</tt> was already a step ahead. "Should I write you a check?"</p>
<p>The beast of the Labyrinth looked over to the other hand, where the <tt>HERO</tt> held Murphy's pen. Before the Minotaur could understand what was happening, the pen was pressed against the beast's skin, and the creature's eyes widened.</p>
<p>With the moments of opportunity left, the <tt>HERO</tt> simply wrote "im ded <em>[sic]</em>" across one of its tattoos. The Minotaur laughed heartily, then stopped. It looked to the <tt>HERO</tt> and tried to say something, but it couldn't. Because it was ded. Instead, the beast doubled over and flopped pitifully onto the ground.</p>
<p>The labyrinth buckled, collapsing inward as if it had grown tired of its own complexity. The Minotaur's tattoos dissolved to formless ink that melted off its body as it vanished into the void.</p>
<p>The man with the typewriter clapped slowly, emerging from the shadow once more. “Bravo. But you do realize this isn’t over, right?”</p>
<p>The <tt>HERO</tt> aimed Murphy's pen at him. “We’ll see.”</p>
<p>He smiled, fading into the shadows with a parting whisper. “Oh, you’ll see. I always come back for the sequel.”</p>
<p>"Endings are never final, <tt>HERO</tt>. Not for us."</p>
</div>
<p><br/></p>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>Aberdeen Campbell was on her way back to her desk when the alarms started. Standard containment breach klaxon, which was not uncommon for Site-19, a place that had its fair share of problems. Silently, she and her coworkers stood and waited for the announcement- one that would tell them whether or not they should evacuate, hide under their desks, or pray to whatever god they choose. After a minute, they worried it would not come, that something had happened already to those above, and that <em>something</em> would soon happen to all of them. Another moment later, a sitewide tone echoed through the hallways, followed by:</p>
<p>"Attention Site-19 personnel. Containment breach of unknown magnitude in progress. Evacuate immediately. Avoid AO Warehouses if at all possible. AO Warehouse B confirmed compromised."</p>
<p>So, something had gotten loose in the Anomalous Objects warehouses, the place where mundane artifacts go to die. Something that had been a little more dangerous than the folks who dropped it off there had realized.</p>
<p>"Attention Site-19 personnel. Containment breach of unknown magnitude in progress. Evacuate immediately. Avoid travel through AO Warehouses. AO Warehouse A and B confirmed compromised."</p>
<p>And it was heading this way, by the looks of it.</p>
<p>Campbell's desk was eight floors below the surface of the planet. Her colleagues had already begun their ascent, but she hadn't moved. Was she paralyzed with fear? Anticipation? She wasn't sure. Something in her gut told her not to go up. Sure, there weren't any other ways out besides through the surface, where the unknown threat approached. Perhaps, she had thought, they would recontain it soon enough, and there would be no need for an evacuation, the day would continue as it normally does.</p>
<p>The klaxon cut short abruptly a second later. Then, the light disappeared with the loud whir of power loss followed by silence, the entirety of the Site-19 campus plunging into darkness. Aberdeen stood, eyes waiting to adjust, heart pounding as a new sound started, a commotion in the upper floors. Then, someone screamed.</p>
<p>The darkness persisted, and Aberdeen waited with her heart in her throat. How long does it take for the backup generator to kick in? Why did the lights fail in the first place?</p>
<p>Unknowns filled the gaps in Campbell's mind, the seeds of anxiety, growing in a multitude of paths. She pushed past these mental thickets until she could see the trails again; there were two stairwells that ran the depth of the facility, used primarily for emergency situations, and a dozen or so elevator shafts, which would almost certainly be nonfunctional in this state. The stairwells were her best—and perhaps only—shot.</p>
<p>Campbell moved cautiously, her hands outstretched in the suffocating darkness as she navigated the rows of cubicles. Her breath was shallow, her heart pounding like a drumbeat in her ears. Stay calm. One step at a time. She chided herself for leaving her phone at her desk. as a flashlight would have been a boon in this moment, though it wouldn't have done very much else without service, which it never had below ground. Who knows, maybe the light would've been too dangerous to wield. It could have given her away.</p>
<p>Her thoughts were broken by a noise, cutting through the now absolute silence with a faint rustling. The commotion grew louder and morphed into the fluttering of hundreds of tiny wings. A swarm of small creatures burst past her, their soft but unseen exteriors brushing her face and hair. Campbell recoiled, nearly stumbling over into a desk on her right. Her mind raced. <em>Bats?</em> Too small. <em>Bugs?</em> Her head spun at the thought of how many unknown <em>things</em> could be lurking in the shows around her. As they disappeared into the void, their frantic movement etched a strange, almost purposeful pattern in their configuration. Of what, Campbell could not know, nor did she want to.</p>
<p>Campbell shivered, her pulse racing. She thought about how little meaningful experience she had with anomalies. She knew the research reports, the training manuals, the protocols, but she'd never faced anything firsthand that she'd remember now. In effect: she was unprepared.</p>
<p>The researcher turned a corner, reaching a hallway leading to the stairwell, but froze in her tracks. Something glowed faintly ahead, stepping through the wall to her left. It was humanoid, its features blurred, shifting in appearance. The figure didn’t acknowledge her, gliding silently and confidently through the wall on the right as if she were irrelevant. She was okay with irrelevance if it kept her alive.</p>
<p>Her chest tightened. She exhaled slowly, steadying herself. <em>Don’t think. Just move.</em></p>
<p>The stairwell door was cold under her hand as she pushed it open. The darkness inside was oppressive, the emergency lights still inactive. As she ascended, the sounds of chaos from above grew louder—the grinding of machines, distant screams, and what sounded like heavy metal being wrenched apart.</p>
<p>Upon reaching the third sublevel, the cacophony stopped.</p>
<p>A new sound emerged: a wet, heavy, sickening sound. Like dripping slime, echoing from above. Campbell halted, straining to listen. The silence around her felt unnatural, amplifying the sticky, viscous noise. Where <em>had</em> everyone gone?</p>
<p>Then, with a hum, the emergency lights flickered on. The dim illumination revealed signage that confirmed she’d reached floor minus-three. The dripping noise continued, persistent and rhythmic. She turned to the door leading to floor -3's offices, her hand hovering over the handle, but paused.</p>
<p>Through the small viewport, there was nothing but darkness—an impenetrable black void. The absence of emergency lights on the other side struck her as wrong. Then came a metallic creak.</p>
<p>The glass in the viewport cracked, startling her. A slow, oozing sound accompanied it. Strands of black tar dripped from above, pooling near her feet. She looked up, horrified to see viscous, black sludge extruding through the cracks in the stairwell's ceiling.</p>
<p>The door groaned again, the cracks spiderwebbing. The black mass on the other side heaved, pushing against the barrier. The whispers began as if they came from everywhere at once—inside her head, outside her, within the walls. Echoes of hundreds of voices, persistent and emotionless.</p>
<p>"Lay down. Drown yourself.</p>
<p>"Eat it. It tastes better than it looks."</p>
<p>"Aberdeen. Oh, Aberdeeeeeen. Let me in, we can go see your friend together."</p>
<p>A loud <em>bam</em> brought Campbell to her senses, who yelped and turned, bolting down the stairs. Her footsteps echoed frantically as the sound of the tar grew louder behind her. She stumbled on the next landing and fell, landing on her shoulder which emitted a faint <em>pop</em> before returning to place. Pain shot through her arm and made her vision flash as her head spun. Not a moment later she was back on her feet and descending, three steps at a time, with no idea of where she was going and without any semblance of a plan, for that matter. She passed minus-six and kept going, her mind blank with fear.</p>
<p>By the time she returned to the 8th sublevel, a thunderous crash shook the stairwell. The sound of something immense, sloshing and squeezing, reverberated down the shaft. Without thinking, Campbell dashed through the door to her office floor and pushed a large filing cabinet against the doorway.</p>
<p>She leaned against it, catching her breath, which turned to soft sobs as she shrunk down to sit on the floor. The silence was suffocating once more, but short-lived this time.</p>
<p>“Campbell?”</p>
<p>The voice made her jump. Dr. Amber Lombardi was standing in front of her, neatly-pressed clothing now disheveled and covered in dust.</p>
<p>“Amber? What are you doing here—?” Campbell whispered, sniffling.</p>
<p>"There's a breach, not sure what. I'm evacuating."</p>
<p>"Yeah, but, why are you <em>here</em> here."</p>
<p>"I wanted to see if you were okay."</p>
<p>The edge of Campbell's fear blunted. "That's… That's really nice of you. But no, I'm not okay. They've blocked the way up."</p>
<p>Lombardi scowled. "Damn it. I was worried about that. Do you know what caused the breach?"</p>
<p>Campbell shook her head, her voice trembling. “I don’t know. Something broke out of the AO Warehouse, something… huge. There’s tar—some kind of sludge—coming down the stairwell. It's putrid, just awful. It’s…” She trailed off, shivering as she recalled the voices.</p>
<p>Lombardi nodded, her expression grim. “We need to get out of here."</p>
<p>Campbell glanced at the filing cabinet against the door and then back at her interlocutor. “We can't go that way. The sludge is dripping its way down here and it started on the ground floor. Minus-three had the stuff floor-to-ceiling. Amber, It-It <em>talks</em> to you."</p>
<p>Lombardi’s jaw tightened. “Okay, then we go down. We'll take the other stairwell. Shouldn't be too far, let's go. ”</p>
<p>Campbell took a deep breath and nodded, accepting Lombardi's hand as she pulled her partner up to a standing position. Together, they began to move through the labyrinth of cubicles and halls and offices-in-offices, the distant sound of dripping black tar haunting their every step.</p>
</div>
<p><br/></p>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="logger medium" style="background:none;">
<p><span class="VT323">MESSAGE LOG FROM:</span> nadiabusiness@anononet</p>
<p><span class="VT323">MESSAGE LOG TO:</span> jaja_is_you@anononet<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>Hello, is this Jamie? You responded to my ad looking for spatial constructions?</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>wrong person</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>okay who are you and who the fuck told you my name.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>Oh, apologies. We worked together on a similar project about a decade ago.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>shit, it's you guys again, isn't it? can't you just leave me alone? statute of limitations or whatever.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>You responded to our ad.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>fair enough</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>regardless, i have like, negative interest in helping you clowns out, considering past experience. find someone gullible enough to be fooled twice.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>I understand your hesitation. We've considered this possibility, and believe the compensation will be more than satisfactory. The work can also be completed remotely, so as to not compromise your privacy.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>And not to split hairs, but you were in fact fooled twice.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>stick a crowbar between your hinges and get bent</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>Charming.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>hey, you get what you get and you don't get upset</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>anyway, you got me curious. what kind of compensation are we talking? are you gonna give me the internet?</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>Is the satisfaction of having hypothetically saved the world from complete chaos not enough?</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>you're joking, right?</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>…right?</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>Yes, it was a joke. We believe a more personal reward would strike your interest, as opposed to practical or monetary compensation.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>We want to offer you closure.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>go on</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>We have solid intel regarding the whereabouts of an anoNet forums user who goes by the pseudonym Arden Pearson. We believe it is the same individual responsible for the leaks that led to the discovery of your websites.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>bullshit. pearson's opsec is on point. and i know for a fact you guys don't own all the exit nodes for every vpn on the planet</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>How can you be sure?</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>:)</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>besides, i'm over all of that shit with pearson now. i look back on those days with fondness, old squabbles seem so silly in the rear view mirror. that's where you've got me pegged wrong.</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny">
<p>How so?</p>
</div>
<div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny">
<p>i can absolutely be swayed with a monetary incentive. didn't you see my paywall?</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br/></p>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large">
<p>Amber Lombardi and Aberdeen Campbell made their way through the shadowed ruins of the lower levels, navigating by the faint emergency lighting that flickered intermittently along the walls. The tar-like substance seemed to loom just at the edges of their senses, and every distant creak of the facility sent jolts of anxiety through them both.</p>
<p>They stopped at the entrance to the second stairwell, hoping for some chance of escape. Lombardi pulled the door open, and the two peered into the passage.</p>
<p>“Shit.” Campbell muttered, staring at the destruction.</p>
<p>The stairwell had completely collapsed. Massive chunks of concrete and rebar filled the void, twisted into a grotesque monument of ruin. Dripping black tar oozed through the cracks, pooling at the bottom and creeping steadily upward.</p>
<p>“Looks like part of the ceiling gave out,” Lombardi said grimly. “The tar must’ve gotten to the structural supports. This whole place is coming down.”</p>
<p>Campbell let out a shaky breath. “So that’s it. No stairs. We're fucked.”</p>
<p>“There is one other way down.” Lombardi replied without hesitation. “Come on.”</p>
<p>They hurried back the way they came, and Campbell did not consider the need to protest until they rounded the corner and were face-to-face with a bank of elevators. The faint hum of machinery had long since vanished, leaving only silence punctuated by the soft, wet plop of tar spreading through the cracks in the facility.</p>
<p>"Oh. No fucking way. You cannot be serious."</p>
<p>Lombardi spoke with equal parts understanding and annoyance, "Yes fucking way, and I am very serious. Do you want to try your odds with the nightmare goop? You're more than welcome."</p>
<p>The doors to the nearest shaft hung slightly open, bent and warped. Campbell hesitated, staring into the dark abyss. "Hm. I hate this.” she said under her breath.</p>
<p>“You’re not the only one,” Lombardi replied, prying the doors open further. “Let’s go. Careful with the ladder.”</p>
<p>Campbell swallowed hard and climbed in after Lombardi, gripping the cold, slick rungs of the emergency escape ladder, heading in the opposite direction one should be traveling in an emergency. The descent was slow and nerve-wracking, the sounds of the tar’s relentless advance growing louder behind and above them. To stifle intrusive thoughts of an elevator car falling down on top of them, Campbell's weary voice rang out, reverberating in the elevator shaft.</p>
<p>"So, how did it go?" She asked the woman beneath her, hoping Lombardi didn't realize the small talk was purely a distraction.</p>
<p>"How did what go?" Campbell was pretty sure her new companion knew what she was talking about.</p>
<p>"Your presentation?"</p>
<p>Lombardi didn't reply right away. After a moment, she said, "You know… it went well. For a second there, I thought everything was gonna be okay." Her tone was unreadable.</p>
<p>It was Campbell's turn not to respond. The two climbed in silence for most of the trip, taking breaks every so often. The air in the elevator shaft quickly grew stuffy and uncomfortably warm.</p>
<p>Halfway down, the substance began to ooze between the landing doors above them. Thick rivulets of black seeped through the cracks, dripping onto the walls and dripping dangerously close to their hands and feet.</p>
<p>“Keep going!” Lombardi hissed, her voice tense.</p>
<p>Campbell tried to focus on her movements—one rung at a time, careful not to slip. She felt a cold drop of tar splatter onto the shoulder of her lab coat. The researcher stifled a scream, nearly letting go out of fear. A few moments later, she forced air back into her lungs and continued to descend.</p>
<p>By the time they reached floor minus-thirty-eight, the tar was inches away from overtaking the bottom of the ladder, pooled in a viscous mass Campbell took pains to jump over once Lombardi had forced the doors open. They both tumbled out into the hallway, gasping for breath.</p>
<p>“The Gateway,” Lombardi said, pulling Campbell to her feet. “We’re almost there.”</p>
<p>They sprinted through the corridors, their footsteps echoing in the silent, ruined facility. The air felt heavy, suffused with an oppressive energy that wasn't helped by the lack of proper ventilation.</p>
<p>The heavy outer doors of the Extradimensional Testing Lab came into view some time later, around the same time that Lombardi realized she'd lost her badge somewhere. Perhaps it snagged on something in the elevator shaft, or she had dropped it when she was running. Either way, the sound of rushing tar grew louder behind them, a deafening wave of sludge surging through the halls. There was no time to look for it.</p>
<p>Lombardi shoved Campbell toward the airlock. “Get it open!”</p>
<p>“What?! Why me?” Campbell protested, staring at the controls. “It's your department!”</p>
<p>“Hey, dipshit. It ain't level four-point-five.” Lombardi pulled the neck of her coat to reveal a lack of lanyard, glancing back as the wave of tar rounded the corner, an unstoppable tide of churning black.</p>
<p>Campbell fumbled with her collar, trying to find her badge. A moment later, she'd succeeded. A moment after that, she was swiping her badge. Another, the door was opening.</p>
<p>“Go!” Lombardi pushed Campbell inside as the tar surged toward them.</p>
<p>The two women stumbled into the airlock just as the sludge reached the threshold. Lombardi slammed the emergency close button, and the doors sealed shut, cutting off the deafening roar that sounded less like a flowing liquid and more like a living thing choking on an ocean of vomit.</p>
<p>They stood in the dim, claustrophobic space, the muffled sounds of the tar pounding against the other side.</p>
<p>“What now?” Campbell whispered, her voice trembling.</p>
<p>Lombardi turned to the inner doorway, which had opened on its own. They both stepped into the testing lab, doors sliding shut once more.</p>
<p>The massive ring of machinery stood ominously in the center, its faint lights flickering in uneven pulses, casting eerie shadows across the room.</p>
<p>“We’re getting out of here. One way or another.”</p>
</div>
<br/>
<br/>
<p style="text-align: center;">𖦹</p>
<p><br/></p>
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<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div>
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<p>Cite this page as:</p>
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<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/open-the-gate">OPEN THE GATE</a>" by Billith, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/open-the-gate">https://scpwiki.com/open-the-gate</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<p>name: spiral / gate / past / extradim<br/>
author: <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;"><img alt="Billith" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3042342&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736631315" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3042342)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;">Billith</a></span><br/>
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[[/module]]
[[=]]
[[module rate]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=--
|name=billith|center=*]]
A bit late, I'll admit.
Approximately 11K words. Time to read: 30-45 mins.
Sequel to [[[SPIRAL THE DRAIN]]]
The links are added for reference, you do not need to use them to get the picture. Most of them are pretty well known anyway.
with love, [[*user Billith]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]]
[[/=]]
~~~~~
[[div class="oheader storm slim space" style="width:70rem; font-size:90%;padding:10px;"]]
"People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it’s the other way around.
Stories exist independently of their players. If you know that, the knowledge is power.
Stories, great flapping ribbons of shaped space-time, have been blowing and uncoiling around the universe since the beginning of time. And they have evolved. The weakest have died and the strongest have survived and they have grown fat on the retelling…..stories, twisting and blowing through the darkness.
And their very existence overlays a faint but insistent pattern on the chaos that is history. Stories etch grooves deep enough for people to follow in the same way that water follows certain paths down a mountainside. And every time fresh actors tread the path of the story, the groove runs deeper.
This is called the theory of narrative causality and it means that a story, once started, takes a shape. It picks up all the other workings of that story that have ever been.
This is why history keeps repeating all the time.
So a thousand heroes have stolen fire from the gods. A thousand wolves have eaten grandmother, a thousand princesses have been kissed. A million unknowing actors have moved, unknowing, through the pathways of story.
It is now impossible for the third and youngest son of any king, if he should embark on a quest which has so far claimed his older brothers, not to succeed.
Stories don’t care who takes part in them. All that matters is that the story gets told, that the story repeats. Or, if you prefer to think of it like this: stories are a parasitical life form, warping lives in the service only of the story itself."
-- Terry Pratchett (1948-2015), //Witches Abroad//
[[/div]]
[[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/spiral-the-drain/GATE.png width="65%" class="bumper" link="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/open-the-gate"]]
~~~~
~~~~~
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The {{[[[SCP-2786|HERO]]]}}'s world was falling apart. While wellbeing had been lost long ago to deep ravines carved by a flood of uncertainty, something new now effervesced upwards from the mantle. It was a living process of environment, some sentient governing law of reality, perhaps. This force turned to cracks, made real beneath the Archetype's calloused feet as they tread the same path for a billionth time. Linear, immutable. Unrelenting. Eternal.
A predetermined, dynamically-rendered cage of bad fanfiction surrounded the void between narrative bedrock and the zeroes-and-ones that floated just above the azure. Halfway between these points walked a timeless entity, featureless and somehow omni-featured, faceless yet infamous. Stalwart and cocky, turned hollow and traumatized.
They stared at the stone pathway that carpeted the corridors of a nameless dungeon, filled with a strange numbness that came and went as time and space lost all meaning. Consciousness floating idly above the Champion's own head, they went through the motions without desire, guided only by necessity and instinct, an involuntary reflex. Escape was at an angle the being did not know how to turn to face and walk along. There were no wails in the distance to guide the {{HERO}}; the Suffering had abandoned their savior, so it seemed. Instead, a facsimile of anguish rattled through their multifaceted head, a tolling bell that could not be stifled and sounded less and less real the longer it was heard, a sound that grew painful like an itch if left unaddressed.
The {{HERO}} remained desperate to divine through the scotoma that clouded their Inner Eye, a compass that always pointed to the next ill-omened world, without fail. This was the Way-of-Things, a grand design within which the {{HERO}} had been given purpose, very long ago. Now, those plans were perpetually obscured by the whims cast by a legion of unseen sorcerers.
It was because of these efforts that the Archetype began to experience despair. Once a proud warrior, they had fought in more wars than lives had been lost across them combined, on worlds from all corners of possibility, and never once had they failed the Great Mission. //Never//. But here, they had. Defeated by mundane landscapes of windswept, amber heaths that resided against paltry villages, of emerald holts lacerated by coarse mountain ranges of which the only path forward was traced around, for weeks, months, years. Decades. All to reach that final foe.
The protagonist was prisoner to a system engineered with them in mind, and a creature of habit is easy to catch. Even now, the {{HERO}} stood before a familiar nemesis, a trite monstrosity of little importance. It served as a pawn to be played against, and its opponent continued to indulge in the game.
Despite this perfect farce, and even while still chained to it, the Archetype had begun to experience something distinctly novel. It started on that same day, one much like all the others. Ego death was no easy task for an entity of this nature, one who had always placed themselves firmly within the highest of regards, as many others would upon receiving emancipation. The {{HERO}} never tired nor felt particularly challenged in any situation—until now. This dynamic provided ample opportunity to self-reflect, to observe and listen to the world as it was. In achieving rock bottom, the Archetype had begun to take on new perspective, though it was not without resistance.
From feeble canon fodder to the ceiling of all that could be considered real to the {{HERO}}, perception was a distorted retelling of present history. Bombarded with constant influence and invaded by invisible probes—algorithmic factors, sensory payloads, thousands of multi-threaded programs, all running simultaneously. Testing, learning, reacting. Thus, god was an unfathomable AI, towering unseen, just beyond the shifting awareness of the Warrior within.
Even further beyond our protagonist and the AI-god that controlled the construct, passing along an orthogonal angle that led out of one world and into another, a small metal box, resting on a metal table, held both of their realms in totality. The box that contained this box was a sterile lab room, filled with cold air and shadows that permeated the space like a void outside of time, a mind suspended in dark ocean waters.
Atop the outer shell of the inner box were two dimly-lit monitors. One displayed a runtime routine that executed endlessly, day-or-night, until it could no longer. On the other, a series of status messages and system dialogs rapidly flickered across the surface, describing the integrity of the construct and the state of a mad {{HERO}} contained within its software. The data acquired from one was shown to the other, which modified its own actions accordingly, creating the rough approximation of a divine arbiter that watched as its captive sunk a worn blade into another supposed arch nemesis, eyes glazed over and mind absent.
The machine was sustained endlessly via Site-180's main power grid, but the device also had its own backups. In the case of a critical site failure, it could run the time-dilated simulation for years, even while the rest of the building was reduced to ash and soot. And, for a time—somewhere between days and millennia—the {{HERO}} was oblivious to the true nature of the story described to them, the strings that tugged at the entity as if it were intuition. It was to the protagonist as every world was, and, like a dream upon waking, past experience would slip from the Archetype's mind, memories and thoughts and realizations faded all the same, countless times, in every iteration, until—
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[[div class="oheader danger slim small"]]
//##949494|"Every iteration?"##//
//##949494|"I've been around ... long while"##//
//##949494|"We aren't evil, you kn—"##//
//##949494|"Please, spare me.##//
[[/div]]
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The {{HERO}} was struck with something incomprehensible—a feeling, and a //sensation//, like the alignment of ten thousand planes of existence into a single waveform. The experience peeled back an intangible layer from their awareness, leaving the sensitive flesh below raw and reeling against the coarse nature of a new, more ultimate paradigm. Simultaneously, segments of a picture became clear. Worlds within worlds had presented themselves, and did not fade as they have before. They clung to the entity, burs that spread seeds of doubt whose roots found footholds deeper within the Champion's psyche. These were memories, true memories. They felt different than the memories the {{HERO}} had now. Very different.
In that moment, the felled beast's remains sank into the floor, leaving behind bare, unmarked stone. The Warrior stared in disbelief, touching the smooth cobble a moment later to confirm its solid nature.
//Magicks. Obviously.// Glancing up, the {{HERO}} was startled to find the room bare. The dungeon walls were blank, the cobblestone now flat and without texture. There were no doors or windows, no bones or chains. The Archetype was alone in an empty world.
In another moment, everything went black.
[[/div]]
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Two figures crowded around a small terminal, staring at a pair of corresponding screens above it. The room was chilly, lit by flickering fluorescent lamps that barely touched the corners of the chamber. The shorter of the figures, a young woman in a lab coat, fidgeted uncomfortably, a look of displeasure running across her face.
"I don't like this. Not at all."
The larger figure, Site-180 Director Everett Lewis, was a burly man with graying hair and bags under his eyes for one Site Director-related reason or another. He said nothing and simply shook his head. The figure on his left, Researcher Nadia Dalton of the Department of Pataphysical Computation and Analysis, took the opportunity to speak again, her tone anxious and cadence rushed.
"There has to be another way. We've been procedurally generating these structures for years. We can change up the algorithm, maybe assign a few more personnel with writing experience to the team. We knew the drivel we've been feeding it was only going to be effective for so long, and we're already pretty understaffed as it is, but the Overseers won't even give me the time of day—"
"Enough," The man interjected harshly. "We've changed the algorithm. We've gone through our entire budget on bullshit fanfic writers, and for what? 2786 has been poking holes through its containment for far too long, and now this. No, we need something more... tangible. How long before it understands the nature of its existence? There is no guarantee that its containment will hold under current circumstances."
At some point late last night, SCP-2786's terminal issued a warning; the anomaly had triggered an auto-restructuring fallback process, indicating an early forced departure from a narrative reality. The system then issued another warning around three hours later. Eighty-three minutes after that, another. This morning, they had to swap the containment parameters from a standard three-part Hero's Journey to a pulpy Fichtean Curve. SCP-2786 manipulates storyspace in strange and unpredictable ways, occasionally requiring fresh narrative structures to maintain full immersion. Still, the sequence of failures was an omen, and Nadia knew the Director was right about that much. Where she didn't quite agree was how to address it.
"I really think you should reconsider. We already [[[SCP-1549|burned that bridge]]], if you recall, and they aren't exactly a veteran player in the burgeoning pataphysics industry.
The man snorted. "One, there is no pataphysics industry, but I think you know that, and, two, we've been sitting on this ad for weeks. Either the account is compromised, or this is all we are getting."
"You understand how that doesn't really help your case, right? I mean, do they even know we're behind the ad?"
"Probably not. But they are a //thaumaturgist//. One that makes anomalous codespaces. I don't think it even matters what exactly they make—it's all magic in the end. This one just happens to have related experience."
The researcher moved to speak again, but was stifled by the Director's hand motioning upwards.
"Do you have a better plan?"
Researcher Dalton deflated, "...I—well, no. I just need time."
"Fine. You have twenty-four hours to find an alternative solution. If not, we will proceed as planned."
"Yes, sir."
[[/div]]
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Site-19's elevators were notorious for their overcrowding and less-than-reliable operation—an issue compounded by the fact that the facility spanned vertically for what felt like an eternity. Being alone in one for the first time, Amber Lombardi shifted on her feet, gripping her freshly retrieved documents a little more tightly than intended, causing her to scowl and flatten out the papers that were beginning to wrinkle in her grasp. The seconds ticked by, punctuated by the constant hum of ventilation and fluorescent lighting, with a distant garnish of commotion that never seemed to fade in the labyrinthine complex.
Finally, a chime announced the arrival to her destination. The polished steel doors slid open to reveal a cramped hallway, devoid of life.
As the woman moved horizontally, the background noise filled with hushed conversations and the occasional groan of the ancient machinery. Amber's mind drifted back to the momentary encounter with Campbell. There was something oddly familiar about her, though Amber couldn’t place it. Perhaps it was just the shared exhaustion of working in a place like this—a silent camaraderie born from the endless grind of Foundation life.
By the time she had walked halfway to her lab, Amber’s patience had thinned somewhat more than usual. She was cold, and the air down here was different—denser, laced with a faint metallic tang that hinted at the exotic machinery housed within. Everything was as it usually was down here, so what was the problem?
The Extradimensional Testing Lab was just ahead, breaking her train of thought once more. Its reinforced doors were flanked by a pair of guards, silent men who looked almost comedically identical. Amber nodded at them with a flat expression as she approached, flashing her badge. They stepped aside without a word, one pressing a series of buttons on a panel previously hidden behind him, and the doors hissed open, presenting another set of doors. Amber rolled her eyes in her head and stepped into the airlock, the doors retracting behind her. Another moment and the second set had opened, revealing the cavernous interior of the lab within.
The Gateway stood at the center of the room, an imposing construct of steel and circuitry that hummed with barely-contained energy. Amber’s gaze swept over it, a mix of pride and apprehension swelling in her chest. This was her magnum opus—a portal to infinite possibilities. And yet, as she moved closer, the weight of what it represented pressed down on her like the crushing gravity of a neutron star.
“Dr. Lombardi,” a voice called out, breaking her reverie. She turned to see a young technician approaching, tablet in hand. “The Gateway’s systems are online, but we’ve been getting some odd readings during calibration. Could be nothing, but I thought you’d want to take a look.”
Amber took the tablet, her brow furrowing as she skimmed the data. The readings were indeed strange—fluctuations in the manifold's stability that shouldn’t have been possible, even in the worst-case scenarios they’d modeled.
“Run another diagnostic,” she said, handing the tablet back. “And double-check the containment field parameters. If there’s even a hint of instability, I want to know about it. The Site Director will be here in ten—no, eight minutes. We should be good to go in five, max.”
The technician nodded and hurried off, leaving Amber alone with her thoughts. She turned her attention back to the Gateway, her mind racing with possibilities. The machine was a marvel of engineering, but it was also a gamble—a roll of the dice with stakes higher than anyone could truly comprehend.
Amber took a deep breath, steeling herself. Whatever happened next, she'd face it head on. Can't go around it, gotta go through it.
[[/div]]
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When the {{HERO}} opened their eyes next, it was dark. The night air was cool and crisp with the taste of saltwater. The Archetype flinched against the abrupt nature of the shift as soon as a reaction to it was possible. It was never as jarring as this, but the {{HERO}} could not be certain of anything anymore.
A voice to their left made the protagonist jump.
"You fall asleep on me? I swear, you rookies... first day in the field and you're already dozing on the job. At least //I'm// the one at the wheel."
//The field?// The {{HERO}} thought of vast plains of the world that just was. It was gone. It was over. The spell had been broken.
They sighed and switched gears, soaking in the dreary surroundings, relaxed enough to return to old habits. They were moving, but they were seated. They were in a vehicle, and they were not alone; a young man occupied the seat to their left. He was dressed in a pressed, tan suit, a sharp hat accenting an otherwise nondescript face. He had a piece of metal on the inside of his coat, held in place by a leather strap. A gun. The {{HERO}} blinked rapidly, processing everything and integrating into the new role. The Archetype looked down and realized they too were wearing a suit.
//I remember now.//
Fragments of memory assembled themselves within the {{HERO}}'s mind. Bits and pieces created fictional backstories and repressed key features of the truth. They tried to resist, but forgot how. In a few moments, the Archetype's mind was full of new ideas and they were none the wiser. Their mouth spoke, gaze still trained out the passenger side window.
"Sorry—Didn't sleep well last night. Nerves." The {{HERO}} recalled the previous night's insomnia, "I'm fine."
Their partner, a detective by the name of Rockwell, looked them over with an air of concern that was almost real but not quite. Whether or not that was intended remained to be seen.
A third voice rang out, this time from the car itself.
"Calling all units, 459 in progress at First United, possible 209b, 38th and Willow, reports of shots fired. Any car able to handle code 3, please identify."
Rockwell's visage noticeably perked up at the information, "That's near here. This ought to wake you up, kid."
Flipping on the siren, the young detective spun in the street, accelerating in the opposite direction. Picking up the radio, Rockwell spoke the identifier and car number into the handset. The {{HERO}} could only stare out the window, perplexed. Everything moved in slow motion, and their mind became lost in a daydream of a beautiful, green world they had never seen before.
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In the dim and unquantifiable expanse of the Infinite, [[[deleted|sixteen figures]]] gathered in a configuration that only resembled a circle if your geometry was broken or you just didn’t care. The atmosphere was bristling with the abstract tension of cosmic-scale bureaucratic dysfunction. They were a many-headed hydra with skulls on backwards, and, as such, orientation and description failed to fully meet the demands of their presence. One, a fluctuating, amorphous mass of limbs and facial features, addressed the others in the voice of a handful of people at once, all of which were layered thick with exhaustion.
"In other news, we have an upcoming Event," the writhing entity called N/A started. "Narrative nonsense. Not the typical fare. Could spell bad news."
Another entity, a loose, ill-conceived cloud of unrelated and incompatible ideas, sounded a noise from a location, "℁⬵❆➠⣻♼ⱃ⩁⧛⇮⟘◮⛍ ⻈ⴀ⁼⋚⨠ ⚞Ⅿ╿▘☝⥿╦ⵠⴆ┳⍴⏧⢗ⅷ⽘△⚢✷⦨╞⏀⼬✭ⱛ⥖⳦⠦┆⒵∀ⶊ⪺⽽⾽∖⍿⍅⡰ℏ⨭⼍⦮⃙⿆↼ ."
Multiple sighs echoed from around the room. One of which came from a [[[SCP-6820|scarred mouth]]] belonging to Dir. Harlow Genevieve of the Department of Essophysics, who followed her pointed exhalation with pointed words. "None of us understand what you're saying. You know that, yeah?"
"⊾ℽ⋂≆⑯⍜ⷫ⩈⌼⌘⢅⑨␔⬗⪯⠌⩤⺅℉⮂⋱"
"Right."
N/A ignored the two and continued. "As you know, our core objective is the upkeep of the Barrier. This metaphysical isolate we meet within is the junction point for all abstract departments, and we all rely solely on the Barrier to prevent our worlds from mixing with //their// worlds." They indicated to the large, transparent wall beside them with an arm firmly adhered to their back. Beyond the looking glass was a mass of worlds and the interconnected membranes around each, forming a configuration resembling foam.
"Our sources indicate that a character—[[[SCP-2439]]]—will attempt to breach the Barrier, and there is a significant chance of this being successful. Essentially, the only reason we don't know is because, at the time I received this report, the Author was still writing the story."
"And when did you get this intel, exactly?" inquired U5-Ⰼ, also known as Dir. Veda A. Rao of Noetics. She was nothing more than a cloud of aerosolized intellect, floating aside her podium. "I haven't heard a damn thing about this, and I //would// know about it."
N/A smiled with two mouths while the third stuck its tongue out. "I actually received the report, right... one moment. Right //now//."
A blank page manifested in N/A's leftmost hand. Rao immediately piped up. "Oh, I see it now. My mistake." After a short pause, she added, "If you'll excuse me. I have to begin preparations for this eventuality."
The cloud floated upward and escaped into an intake vent that led nowhere.
"Alrighty, then. What was I saying?." N/A tossed the paper aside, where it burst into flames and was gone not a second later. "Ah—The issue with this whole affair comes down to what this means for //us// and //our// departments. I don't know about you all, but I don't really want to be interacting with //Normals// any more than absolutely necessary".
Murmurs of agreement found their way around the room.
"So, what do we think? What should we do? I'm opening up the entire floor for discussion."
The murmurs previously heard grew rapidly to a dozen strange entities frantically talking over one another. N/A looked about the room and sighed loudly.
"Okay, one at a time. //One at a time!// Please. Thank //you//. {{[UNKNOWN]}}, I think you had something to say, didn't you? Go ahead."
“...” Nothing came from U5-Ⰰ, whose existence was a tenuous guess on a good day. Not a single sound, nor a fleeting gesture had erupted from their empty seat. Maybe they did say something, but if they did, nobody present could perceive it, let alone comprehend it.
"I guess not. Anyone else?"
“Well, it's simple really,” muttered a one Director Marcel Non Sequitur of the [[[/system:page-tags/tag/surrealistics-dept|Department of Surrealistics]]], smoothing his lapel, which was covered in question marks (though he swears he's never heard of the Riddler before). “What lies before us is a shattered wall, a symphony of broken threads, the tear in the dress of eternity—”
“For the love of God,” interrupted Genevieve, whose otherwise mundane presence felt like a confused slap in the face of Marcel’s esoteric waxing.
“Oh, I assure you, I’ve consulted Him,” Tactical Theology, the deific embodiment of the [[[/tactical-theology-hub|Department of Tactical Theology]]], rumbled, voice echoing like a hymn sung by an army choir. Their golden, armored form loomed, shimmering with divine authority. “He didn't want anything to do with us. This whole situation is... heretical? Blasphemous? Help me out here, guys.”
“It’s… something,” said [[[unreality-hub|Mx. Alex Thorley]]], their voice carrying the wet socks of a thousand rainy evenings. “You try so hard to hold it together, then one little thread unravels, and you’re left staring at a... at a mess you can’t fix.”
“Your metaphor needs work,” Genevieve said.
“Story of my life.”
“Enough,” [[[SCP-2719|O5-4]]] said, stepping forward—or rather, letting the translucent suggestion of his once-human form hover through the podium and towards the center of the room. “We will need to act before the breach spreads. If we don’t... well, do you want to find out what a headache that'll be?”
“Do you know what would actually happen, though?” Alex asked, raising a nonexistent eyebrow.
“That's... irrelevant.”
"Oh, okay." The Unreality liaison spoke with little enthusiasm.
In the corner, a body stirred softly, still comatose, and hopefully to stay that way. The rest stared at the form, all somewhat distressed at the idea of disrupting //[[[scp-6511|the Contingency's]]]// endless slumber.
"Let's not wake that guy up." The soft-spoken voice belonged to that of [[[scp-3001|Dr. Robert Scranton]]], who resembled a person who was about to be feathered. He adjusted his glasses with a [[[scp-106|tar-covered hand]]], then frowned at the appearance of a black smudge on the left lens. “This, uh, breach is clearly multidimensional in nature,” he spoke mildly, his voice an inoffensive whisper that would be acceptable for use in a library. “It’s spreading through... hmm… layers. Like a trifle. Or perhaps a lasagna.”
“Lasagna?” asked Tactical Theology, tone implying a genuine lack of knowledge.
Scranton shrugged, his melted form rippling in response. “I skipped lunch.”
“⸸⟙⥜⼼⻉,” retorted ℱ℺↋ℎↂ⅁ℌ℉ↇ℄.
“Of course,” Genevieve deadpanned. “That clears everything up.”
[[[SCP-8882|Enkidu.aic]]], a being of shifting code from infinite repositories across an infinite multiverse tilted what would be a head. “The breach is the story devouring itself. A tragic comedy, sifted through a filter to remove all sense of humor. I’ve seen this play a thousand times across a thousand lives."
Genevieve pinched the bridge of her nose. “Could someone with a //normal// brain explain it?”
“Don’t look at me,” Alex gestured vaguely. “I’m just here to be sad and cryptic. Mostly sad. My doc says I'm neurodivergent.”
In the back, the whitespace figure of Antimemetics emitted... something. Everyone blinked, momentarily aware of the noise before promptly forgetting it.
Another hideous chimera of discarded features and half-formed limbs from the Department of Deletions raised one seven-fingered hand, then immediately retracted it, inner turmoil competing and ultimately winning out against expression.
“Why are you even here, let alone twice?” [[[final-exam|Claudia Pomare]]] snapped, her kaleidoscopic form shimmering with barely contained sarcasm. “Your department’s just a collection of bad decisions stapled together.”
N/A drooped, muttering incoherently as they moved for the exit. The other N/A trudged from the center of the room and took their counterpart's podium, leaning towards Pomare. "Thanks, I can't fucking stand that guy."
“Let’s focus, people,” O5-4 said, clapping spectral hands together, which made a sound like the faint echo of a distant collapsing star. “[[[narrativistics-and-you|Narrativistics]]], you’ve seen this kind of thing before. How do we stop it?”
Enkidu.aic grinned, object-oriented eyes glowing with confidence. “Stop it? Ah, you don’t stop it, my ascended friend. You become it. If the character is to break through the Barrier, then it will be so. If we're to stop it, that is what will happen instead. Therefore, we must write the breach into the script, by letting it happen."
“I don't like that answer,” Genevieve said.
“Neither do I,” Marcel added. “But a house with no walls is a metaphor for opportunity, don’t you think?”
“I don’t, actually,” Genevieve rubbed her temples.
Enkidu continued. “The plan is simple: We allow the breach to become part of the Barrier's story. We allow the chaos to flow through us and out the other side. If you really feel you must try to stop it, then stop it. Either way, it must end before it takes us with it. Otherwise, that wouldn't be a very satisfying ending, would it? We need nuance, we need //subtext//.”
“Like... lasagna,” Scranton murmured.
“Not everything is lasagna!” Genevieve snapped.
“Well, nothing is pizza,” Marcel offered, an eager-to-please look smeared lengthways across his visage.
A miserable silence fell throughout the room. Genevieve sighed, resting her acid-burned face on crossed arms laid atop the surface in front of her.
“I hate this job.”
The chaotic gathering of quasi-department non-heads was teetering on coherence's edge when a new figure materialized—or more accurately, dissolved into the room like a melting clock made of nervous energy. Dr. Irving Gat, Director of the Department of Surrealistics (Part Two), stumbled forward, the man gesturing wildly as though conducting a symphony only he could hear.
“We have a problem!” Irving shouted, voice fluctuating between the timbres of a frantic artist and a spiraling opera singer, only to be met with a collective //"Sh!"// from the others. The room full of eyes looked nervously in the direction of Contingency, who didn't so much as budge. Irving gave off an indignant look but acquiesced, if only to avoid being shushed again.
Irving continued in a loud whispering voice, to the chagrin of the Director's peers. “A character is //breaching fictive levels!// They’re breaking out, shattering the fourth, the fifth—hell, even the seventh walls! It’s madness! Utter bedlam!”
Marcel Non Sequitur turned to him with a bemused expression, tipping his imaginary hat. “Ah, Irv, you perpetually-late maestro of panic and prose! What’s a story but a broken window looking out at infinity? Surely this is no new song for a rock star like yourself. We know all about the goop monster.”
Scranton shot Marcel a look of annoyance, which the Surrealistic took note of and clarified. "Not you, different guy."
Irving responded with a bewildered look. "Goop monster? I'm talking about the Archetype, the //bizarre {{HERO}}//."
A number of renewed groans are expressed across the room.
Dir. Genevieve spoke, "That douchebag? Ugh. When will they learn? Anyway, who cares? Just chuck them somewhere extranarrative and throw away the key. That's what we did with [[[SCP-3812|the last guy]]].
“No, you don't get it!” Doctor Director Gat exclaimed, flinging sweat across Marcel's podium as he turned to face Genevieve. “With all due respect. This isn’t just another Narrative runaway. This is a full-blown //existential jailbreak// by a //fundamental narrative aspect//. Before, they used to be limited by their perception, but the Foundation took care of that. They've already attempted to leave their narrative several times. Each time, they grow stronger and more capable.”
“That’s cute,” Enkidu.aic said, their luminous form flickering with amusement, the way a glitch in reality might laugh. “As if ‘escaping’ a narrative means anything. All realities are stories. All destinations are chosen by their authors. Where else would they go? The breach is just the script revising itself.”
Irving froze, clammy hands mid-gesture. “What... //what does that mean?//”
“It means //everything//,” Enkidu replied cryptically, “and also nothing. Depends on how your story’s written, or if you really care.”
“Well, that’s helpful,” Genevieve sighed, crossing her arms.
“It makes perfect sense,” Enkidu spoke slowly. “If you’d just try thinking with all versions of yourself at once, you’d see.”
O5-4 snorted incredulously but remained otherwise silent.
“Let’s entertain the hypothetical,” N/A interjected, their disjointed limbs fidgeting as one of their mouths began to speak. “If a character breaches their fabula, then the Barrier, then the Database, they reach Externus. The Outside.”
The room collectively shivered at the notion, except for Enkidu, who laughed outright.
“The Outside?” O5-4 mused, his translucent form rippling faintly as if caught in a breeze from another dimension. “That would imply that there’s something truly beyond us. Beyond our world, beyond the archivists, the SWANNs...”
“That’s absurd. And not in a good way,” Marcel said, brushing imaginary lint off his shoulder. “The Outside is a fiction’s fiction. A story told by stories to scare themselves.”
Irving groaned, throwing his hands up. “Grrrahh! I cannot work like this! The Barrier is the only thing keeping the safe, nonlogical territories of Surrealism from becoming partially coherent and collapsing into—into—whatever //this// is!”
Tactical Theology spoke for the first time in a while, their voice a solemn reverberation. “If a character breaches the Barrier, they challenge the gods. And gods, my friends, do not take kindly to being questioned.”
“Unless they’re good gods,” Pomare snarked, unable to hide her irritation. “Which, let’s be honest, none of you qualify for.”
“Rude,” Tactical Theology rumbled.
“So, what if I'm right? What if the character succeeds?” Irving asked, voice lowered to a whisper again. “What if they really do reach Externus?”
“Oh, they won’t,” Enkidu said cheerfully, folding their glowing arms. “You can’t exist beyond the story. You can only imagine you can.”
“That sounds like something a character would say,” Alex muttered, their tone both bored and annoyed.
“Because it is,” Enkidu replied, smiling in a way that seemed to collectively break the entire group.
“So... in summary,” Genevieve said, pinching her nose again, “we have no plan, no consensus, and no clue. Fantastic. Let’s all sit here and wait for reality to collapse, shall we?”
“Reality doesn’t collapse,” Enkidu said serenely. “It just rewrites itself. Over, and over, and over again.”
"Here's hoping they try something different for once." Genevieve muttered with a resigned weariness.
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In the nameless city our {{HERO}} found themselves, the sound of suffering filled the ears of the only one who could hear them. The once-dulcet tones were now painful, like a scream scraping upon glass, sickly sweet and nauseating. At every stop on their route, death and misery spilled forth, a tidal wave of blood through open floodgates.
As soon as they could, our protagonist parted ways with their partner— a man whose name now escaped the Archetype—in favor of traveling their assigned beat alone. He didn't protest, but muttered something about them being a rookie, an epithet the {{HERO}} found most irksome, though they couldn't say why.
The city shimmered with an uncanny glow, the streets were wet with a perpetual drizzle, reflecting neon signs that buzzed faintly in the night air. The sound of distant sirens and muffled sobs played a haunting symphony, underscoring the {{HERO}}'s movements. They moved with the slow, deliberate steps of someone not entirely tethered to their own will. Around every corner, pain echoed in a form only they could perceive, tugging at their thoughts again and again. Taunting and hedonistic.
At one such corner, the {{HERO}} paused. A figure leaned against a streetlight, shrouded in a haze of cigarette smoke. His silhouette was unmistakable—broad shoulders cloaked in a trench coat, a fedora tilted just enough to obscure his face. He didn’t belong here, yet somehow, he fit perfectly.
“You look lost, pal,” the man said, voice gravelly and worn, the kind that carried the weight of too many cigarettes and too much whiskey. He stepped forward, revealing a face weathered like the city itself—hard edges, shadows beneath the eyes, and a smirk that carried equal parts amusement and pity. “Name’s [[[murphy-law-hub|Murphy]]]. And you are?”
The {{HERO}} didn’t respond. Something about this man felt familiar, yet utterly out of place. It wasn’t just his demeanor—it was the way the the world seemed to bend ever-so-slightly around him, as though he weren’t entirely bound by its rules. The {{HERO}} also realized that they didn't have a sufficient answer to give.
Murphy gestured with a tilt of his head toward a dimly-lit doorway just across the street. “C’mon, kid. Let’s get outta this rain. You look like you could use a drink.”
Against the gnawing voice in their mind warning them to stay on the path, the {{HERO}} followed. Inside the dive bar, the air was thick with the smell of stale beer and desperation. The lighting was dim, the kind that let the shadows do most of the work. Murphy slid into a booth in the corner, gesturing for the {{HERO}} to sit across from him.
“You don’t know it yet,” Murphy started, lighting another cigarette, “but you’re in a real bind. The kind that don’t come with instructions on the back of the box.” He leaned forward, exhaling smoke into the space between them. “You think you’re the {{HERO}} of this story. And you are. But not in the way you think. Glenlivet?” He offered an open bottle to the figure across from him.
The {{HERO}}'s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
The tall glass of nails smirked, tapping his smoke into a glass ashtray. “You ever wonder why you always win? No matter how bad things look, no matter how impossible the odds, you always come out on top. That’s not heroism. That’s a rigged game.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “But here’s the kicker. The people writing this story? They tricked you. Somewhere along the way, you stopped being the {{HERO}} and became the villain. And the audience? They’re eating it up. Everybody loves an underdog. Nobody roots for the unbeatable champion.”
The {{HERO}} stomach turned. The idea felt absurd, but it resonated deep within, striking a chord they couldn’t ignore. “What do you want me to do? Just give up?”
Murphy chuckled darkly, a sound like gargling pennies. “Nah, kid. Giving up ain’t your style. What you gotta do is flip the script. There’s a way to get out of this mess, but it ain’t gonna be easy.” He leaned in closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “There’s a place they don’t want you to go. The Minotaur’s Labyrinth. Inside, there’s a monster nobody’s ever beat. But if you take it down, you’ll get back what they took from you—your heroism. Your way-of-things.”
“My way-of-things?” the {{HERO}} asked, the words feeling heavy in their mouth.
He nodded. “It’s a way out. A choice you can make, no matter what, that’ll lead you to victory. And not just in this story. You’ll see the path out of here, past the walls of this city, past the whole damn construct.” Murphy smirked unhappily and sat back, crossing his arms. “But I ain’t gonna lie to you. The Labyrinth’s no cakewalk. And the Minotaur? It’s not just a monster. It’s the culmination of everything you’ve ever feared, everything you’ve ever failed to overcome.”
The {{HERO}} stared at the table, processing the man's assertion. They didn’t fully understand, but something deep inside them stirred—a faint ember of hope.
“How do I find it?” they asked.
The dark figure peeled a crumpled napkin from the underside of his drink, ignoring the wet ring the glass had created as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a ballpoint pen. It had the name of the very same bar they sat within printed on its side. The grizzled detective pulled off the cap with his teeth and began to draw something, A moment later, he slid the result over to the {{HERO}}. It was a map, crude and incomplete, but unmistakably pointing toward a place deep within the city walls.
“I mainly paint." He flashed his sidearm with a wink. "Still say I'm an artist in my craft. Besides, it'll getcha where you need to go. And take this too, kid.”
The hard-boiled mass of tropes and cliches pushed his pen across the table. "It's mightier than the sword, after all. "
Murphy stood and adjusted his hat. “Also—when you get there, don’t think about winning. Just think about what it means to be the {{HERO}} again. I'll be seein' you.”
With that, Murphy turned and walked out into the rain, leaving his interlocutor alone with a badly-drawn map and the weight of a choice they hadn’t even realized they could make.
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Site-180 was in a state of panic when Level 3 Researcher Nalia Dalton reached the main atrium the next morning. Before she could arrive at her desk, she was called away to discuss containment solutions for SCP-2786, of which she had little.
While walking to her meeting, she imagined a towering, faceless thing. That empty Archetype, above and below, driven mad by boredom and toying with reality just because it can and is generally a pain in the ass.
Her mind was returned to focus by the husky visage of Site Director Lewis, who was holding two fingers two his neck while he stared at the watch on his other hand.
"Tell me you have something, Dalton. Any leads for our cooped up little {{HERO}}? R'n'D is on elevated alert, they say it could be hours, could be days. Hard to know what with the time compression and all."
She took a breath. "I spent last night searching for new sites of interest. I have a list." She retrieved a small leather-bound notebook and padded through the pages. "These here are known for high density traffic by Serpent's Hand members, a few occultists of varying faiths, a type green or two. I put an ad up last night."
"And?"
"Nothing before I left this morning. I'll again check now."
Nadia trudged across the floor and into one of Site-180's few computer labs, her superior following shortly behind her. Each contained a few rows of screens, all hooked up to the SCPFnet database as well as a limited internet connection. Hopping onto one of the terminals, she navigated to the onion link of one of the more popular occult forums and found her post inquiring about constructed narrative realities. She had one reply. She could hear Lewis scoff as they realized who had sent it.
"At least they are persistent." She exclaimed in a joking-but-not-really-happy sort of way.
"You may joke, but we are out of options, Nalia."
"But-"
Their conversation was cut short by a knock on the door. One of the younger techs, one of the many that she had forgotten the names of over the years, hung in the doorway. He was pale and hyperventilating.
"You guys have to come see this." He managed between breaths. "Something is happening— //Something new.//"
The feeling of a balled up fist found its way into Nadia's throat. She followed the panicked tech through the labyrinthine halls of Site-180, Site Director Lewis close behind. The sense of urgency in the young man’s steps made her stomach twist. She had seen this kind of panic before, and it rarely ended well.
As they entered the main observation room, the atmosphere was still, a hot and stuffy feeling, despite the active ducts pushing cold air that tasted of freon into the space. On the two monitors in the center of the room, warning boxes and error messages populated their surface, all regarding the status of SCP-2786's simulated containment complex. Or rather, the lack of SCP-2786 in the simulated containment complex. Fear began to rise within Nadia as she suspected her worst case scenario has come. Director Lewis gripped at the table next to him, and Nadia was convinced he had just came to the same realization as she.
The room was silent save for the frantic tapping of keys on a keyboard and the thorough writing of notes on clipboards. Technicians and researchers gathered in unlikely union as they stared at the screens with a mixture of negative emotions depicted on their faces.
“What the hell happened?” Lewis demanded, his voice cutting through the room.
One of the senior researchers, a pale, wiry man named Dr. Halverson, turned from the monitors. “SCP-2786 entered what we believe to be an emergent narrative construct within the simulation. The anomaly... has completely vanished from our detection."
Lewis frowned, a vein on his shiny forehead bulging. “You’re saying SCP-2786 escaped?”
Halverson shook his head. “No. There's no indication that it has truly exited. But with reality benders like this, we simply don’t know,” Halverson admitted, frustration and fear lacing his voice. “It’s just gone. No heat signature, no data transfers, no energy readings, no narrative imprint. It’s as if it ceased to exist, but I refuse to be so optimistic.”
Director Lewis stared at Nadia, she knew what he was thinking before he said it, so she said it first. "I'll reach out to Jamie. Perhaps it's not too late."
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The labyrinth was not what the {{HERO}} had expected. They kept imagining a dark, cobblestone-lined dungeon, where ominous torchlight bathed grungy corridors and growling treasure chests threatened to consume those whose avarice got the better of them. It sounded absurd, because the {{HERO}} could not remember where they had gotten the image from. The map they followed was a fool's path through the gridlines of the city, turns that looped back on themselves and backtracked for a dozen streets. The {{HERO}} knew this game, however, and thus followed the instructions precisely.
Twisting around the same hollow skyscraper for the fifth time, the layout changed. The intersecting roads of the city vanished, the buildings that lined the blocks became impassable walls, windows suddenly leading to solid brick and mortar. It was only until they were fully lost within the concrete maze that the {{HERO}} realized they had found the Labyrinth. And it was only after the {{HERO}} had meandered, by complete chance, into the heart of that very same labyrinth that they came to understand its true nature. It wasn’t just a maze—it was a product of ancient worlds, a framework that would find itself repeated in cycles, in different time periods, different presentations. It was another Archetype, one of a pair. {{[[[SCP-1893|THE LABYRINTH AND THE MINOTAUR]]]}}.
These were the Words scrawled across the yellowed walls of the inner maze. The {{HERO}} could not remember when they went from outside to inside, from city to carpeted hallway, but the hum of fluorescent lights and the muted, endless rooms brought about a certain monotony-induced anxiety in the {{HERO}}. It whispered, rearranged itself, and for a moment, the {{HERO}} thought they would be lost forever, wandering these back rooms for the rest of time. Even the map Murphy had given them, initially so solid and sure, now trembled, struggling to orient itself. Its lines and markers blend into text that simply read, "Go left? Or maybe right? The choice is yours, but the walls know more than us both."
The maze pulsed as if reading the paper's thoughts, and the protagonist fell through the solid floor. When they looked up next, there it stood. The Minotaur, towering above.
Its tattoos coiled and shimmered, not just with ink but with prose, phrases crawling across its skin, weaving and unweaving themselves like a living manuscript. Adorning its head like a crown, its horns spiraled outward, fracturing reality into shards as it spread into branches. Like two trees made of bone, with leaves of glass, each piece a window into a different world. A different... //story//.
That feeling from before returned, threatening to pry more ignorance off the {{HERO}}'s perception. The air shifted.
Suddenly, the {{HERO}} stood in an old tavern, the kind that smelled of stale mead and faint smoke from a woodburning stove. The Minotaur was behind the bar, wiping a glass with some gray fabric, holding it close to the eye before frowning and rigorously attempting to buff out some unseen imperfection.
As the {{HERO}} approached, their adversary kept its eyes trained on the glass and the dirty rag it worked with.
“You finally made it,” it said, still not looking up. Its voice was low, a rumble that resonated in the {{HERO}}’s ribs. The words weren’t just spoken, they were also written, appearing in midair before folding themselves into the pages of a leather-bound book on the bar counter.
The {{HERO}} hesitated, feeling the unseen weight of their actions pressing against the invisible barriers of the narrative itself. Every step they’d taken, every thought they’d had, was being transcribed, and had always been prescribed.
“Why?” the {{HERO}} asked, though the protagonist didn’t know what they meant by asking.
The Minotaur tilted its head, the tattoos on its arms reshaping into lines of dialogue:
"Because you wrote me here."
The labyrinth flickered again. Now it was a dimly lit office, stacks of paper and half-filled coffee mugs scattered everywhere. The Minotaur sat across a desk, wearing a pair of reading glasses, flipping through a file labeled {{HERO}}.
“You have a knack for questions,” it said. Its tone was different now—lighter, conversational. The story's words were scrawling themselves on a typewriter that rattled away in the corner. “But you should know by now, you don’t beat me with answers.”
“What do you mean?” the {{HERO}} said.
The Minotaur’s grin was a world unto itself. “You already know, don't you? I’m not a creature to be slain. These walls will never be demolished. We are //iterations.// I’m a story. Your story. Thus, you, my dear {{HERO}}, are as much my prisoner as my author.”
The creature’s eyes locked onto the {{HERO}}, and for a moment, the entire labyrinth seemed to hold its breath. Then, it shrugged with annoyance.
“You shouldn’t have come here, but it was only a matter of time.” The beast spoke, but not to the {{HERO}}, its voice rattling the fluorescent lights.
Behind it, another figure sat at the typewriter, cloaked in the shadows of the edge of the room, tapping away. His smile was sharp, knowing, as though he'd been waiting for this exact moment. He leaned forward, curling his back unnaturally over the small typewriter. He spoke through pointed teeth, words that weren't meant for the {{HERO}} at all.
“Well, look who wandered in. I wonder how long this one will last.” After a period of silence, a confused look ran across his face. "Can you hear me?"
The {{HERO}}, feeling the familiar-but-long-forgotten boil of noble bloodlust in their veins, spoke up. "You looking for someone, pal? Hate to tell you, but I work alone. "
The figure stopped typing and looked straight at the {{HERO}}. "Then this will take no time at all."
The Minotaur didn’t wait for a response. It charged, its tattoos unfurling into text that ripped through the air, threatening to kill, but the {{HERO}} noticed something about them they hadn't noticed before. The tattoos weren't the Minotaur's at all. They were borrowed from the typewriter used by the silhouette in the back of the room. It was writing the Minotaur's tale. Stories. More stories.
As if it could read the {{HERO}}'s mind, the words spelled out a phrase: “This is the part of the story where you lose.”
A glint in the mind's eye of the protagonist revealed something; a memory that was once said by a dear friend. //"When you get there, don’t think about winning. Just think about what it means to be the {{HERO}} again."//
The words that surrounded them both weren't just threats and quips. They were stories. Stories, they were everywhere. //Everywhere.// And they continued to realize. They realized that they indeed were the {{HERO}} of the story. Their story. It will //always// be their story. But it was their story like a child is their mother's child. The {{HERO}} did not own the story. The {{HERO}} was responsible for the safety of its inhabitants. //Of course.//
The Minotaur went to attack again, but the {{HERO}} was already on the move. They sidestepped the Minotaur and dove for the other one. Specifically, for the typewriter. Reality bent and warped away from that point in space, but the {{HERO}} persevered. They pushed with all the power inside of them, until the {{HERO}}'s fingertips lightly grazed against the paper on top of the typewriter itself.
In that moment, reality seemed to snap back to an identical scene as before. However, something was different; The man in the back of the room wasn't there. The Minotaur noticed this as well, eyes widening and narrowing as a growl escaped its lips.
“You’re clever,” it said, tattoos slowly reappearing on its body. “But you cannot outwrite him.”
The {{HERO}} smirked. “No, but I can make you rewrite yourself.”
They lunged back at the Minotaur and grabbed at the glass shards between spokes in its horns. They weren't real glass, at least at first, but when the {{HERO}} made contact, the shard became corporeal. They wrenched with force and the fragment ripped out of its socket with a sickening, wet sound. The Minotaur howled in pain, while the {{HERO}} spun the glass in their hand until a sharp point protruded forwards. They moved to deal the killing blow to the Minotaur, who only laughed as it grabbed their hand and shook the fragment onto the ground.
"I'm going to make you pay for that." The Minotaur assured its combatant.
But the {{HERO}} was already a step ahead. "Should I write you a check?"
The beast of the Labyrinth looked over to the other hand, where the {{HERO}} held Murphy's pen. Before the Minotaur could understand what was happening, the pen was pressed against the beast's skin, and the creature's eyes widened.
With the moments of opportunity left, the {{HERO}} simply wrote "im ded //[sic]//" across one of its tattoos. The Minotaur laughed heartily, then stopped. It looked to the {{HERO}} and tried to say something, but it couldn't. Because it was ded. Instead, the beast doubled over and flopped pitifully onto the ground.
The labyrinth buckled, collapsing inward as if it had grown tired of its own complexity. The Minotaur's tattoos dissolved to formless ink that melted off its body as it vanished into the void.
The man with the typewriter clapped slowly, emerging from the shadow once more. “Bravo. But you do realize this isn’t over, right?”
The {{HERO}} aimed Murphy's pen at him. “We’ll see.”
He smiled, fading into the shadows with a parting whisper. “Oh, you’ll see. I always come back for the sequel.”
"Endings are never final, {{HERO}}. Not for us."
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Aberdeen Campbell was on her way back to her desk when the alarms started. Standard containment breach klaxon, which was not uncommon for Site-19, a place that had its fair share of problems. Silently, she and her coworkers stood and waited for the announcement- one that would tell them whether or not they should evacuate, hide under their desks, or pray to whatever god they choose. After a minute, they worried it would not come, that something had happened already to those above, and that //something// would soon happen to all of them. Another moment later, a sitewide tone echoed through the hallways, followed by:
"Attention Site-19 personnel. Containment breach of unknown magnitude in progress. Evacuate immediately. Avoid AO Warehouses if at all possible. AO Warehouse B confirmed compromised."
So, something had gotten loose in the Anomalous Objects warehouses, the place where mundane artifacts go to die. Something that had been a little more dangerous than the folks who dropped it off there had realized.
"Attention Site-19 personnel. Containment breach of unknown magnitude in progress. Evacuate immediately. Avoid travel through AO Warehouses. AO Warehouse A and B confirmed compromised."
And it was heading this way, by the looks of it.
Campbell's desk was eight floors below the surface of the planet. Her colleagues had already begun their ascent, but she hadn't moved. Was she paralyzed with fear? Anticipation? She wasn't sure. Something in her gut told her not to go up. Sure, there weren't any other ways out besides through the surface, where the unknown threat approached. Perhaps, she had thought, they would recontain it soon enough, and there would be no need for an evacuation, the day would continue as it normally does.
The klaxon cut short abruptly a second later. Then, the light disappeared with the loud whir of power loss followed by silence, the entirety of the Site-19 campus plunging into darkness. Aberdeen stood, eyes waiting to adjust, heart pounding as a new sound started, a commotion in the upper floors. Then, someone screamed.
The darkness persisted, and Aberdeen waited with her heart in her throat. How long does it take for the backup generator to kick in? Why did the lights fail in the first place?
Unknowns filled the gaps in Campbell's mind, the seeds of anxiety, growing in a multitude of paths. She pushed past these mental thickets until she could see the trails again; there were two stairwells that ran the depth of the facility, used primarily for emergency situations, and a dozen or so elevator shafts, which would almost certainly be nonfunctional in this state. The stairwells were her best—and perhaps only—shot.
Campbell moved cautiously, her hands outstretched in the suffocating darkness as she navigated the rows of cubicles. Her breath was shallow, her heart pounding like a drumbeat in her ears. Stay calm. One step at a time. She chided herself for leaving her phone at her desk. as a flashlight would have been a boon in this moment, though it wouldn't have done very much else without service, which it never had below ground. Who knows, maybe the light would've been too dangerous to wield. It could have given her away.
Her thoughts were broken by a noise, cutting through the now absolute silence with a faint rustling. The commotion grew louder and morphed into the fluttering of hundreds of tiny wings. A swarm of small creatures burst past her, their soft but unseen exteriors brushing her face and hair. Campbell recoiled, nearly stumbling over into a desk on her right. Her mind raced. //Bats?// Too small. //Bugs?// Her head spun at the thought of how many unknown //things// could be lurking in the shows around her. As they disappeared into the void, their frantic movement etched a strange, almost purposeful pattern in their configuration. Of what, Campbell could not know, nor did she want to.
Campbell shivered, her pulse racing. She thought about how little meaningful experience she had with anomalies. She knew the research reports, the training manuals, the protocols, but she'd never faced anything firsthand that she'd remember now. In effect: she was unprepared.
The researcher turned a corner, reaching a hallway leading to the stairwell, but froze in her tracks. Something glowed faintly ahead, stepping through the wall to her left. It was humanoid, its features blurred, shifting in appearance. The figure didn’t acknowledge her, gliding silently and confidently through the wall on the right as if she were irrelevant. She was okay with irrelevance if it kept her alive.
Her chest tightened. She exhaled slowly, steadying herself. //Don’t think. Just move.//
The stairwell door was cold under her hand as she pushed it open. The darkness inside was oppressive, the emergency lights still inactive. As she ascended, the sounds of chaos from above grew louder—the grinding of machines, distant screams, and what sounded like heavy metal being wrenched apart.
Upon reaching the third sublevel, the cacophony stopped.
A new sound emerged: a wet, heavy, sickening sound. Like dripping slime, echoing from above. Campbell halted, straining to listen. The silence around her felt unnatural, amplifying the sticky, viscous noise. Where //had// everyone gone?
Then, with a hum, the emergency lights flickered on. The dim illumination revealed signage that confirmed she’d reached floor minus-three. The dripping noise continued, persistent and rhythmic. She turned to the door leading to floor -3's offices, her hand hovering over the handle, but paused.
Through the small viewport, there was nothing but darkness—an impenetrable black void. The absence of emergency lights on the other side struck her as wrong. Then came a metallic creak.
The glass in the viewport cracked, startling her. A slow, oozing sound accompanied it. Strands of black tar dripped from above, pooling near her feet. She looked up, horrified to see viscous, black sludge extruding through the cracks in the stairwell's ceiling.
The door groaned again, the cracks spiderwebbing. The black mass on the other side heaved, pushing against the barrier. The whispers began as if they came from everywhere at once—inside her head, outside her, within the walls. Echoes of hundreds of voices, persistent and emotionless.
"Lay down. Drown yourself.
"Eat it. It tastes better than it looks."
"Aberdeen. Oh, Aberdeeeeeen. Let me in, we can go see your friend together."
A loud //bam// brought Campbell to her senses, who yelped and turned, bolting down the stairs. Her footsteps echoed frantically as the sound of the tar grew louder behind her. She stumbled on the next landing and fell, landing on her shoulder which emitted a faint //pop// before returning to place. Pain shot through her arm and made her vision flash as her head spun. Not a moment later she was back on her feet and descending, three steps at a time, with no idea of where she was going and without any semblance of a plan, for that matter. She passed minus-six and kept going, her mind blank with fear.
By the time she returned to the 8th sublevel, a thunderous crash shook the stairwell. The sound of something immense, sloshing and squeezing, reverberated down the shaft. Without thinking, Campbell dashed through the door to her office floor and pushed a large filing cabinet against the doorway.
She leaned against it, catching her breath, which turned to soft sobs as she shrunk down to sit on the floor. The silence was suffocating once more, but short-lived this time.
“Campbell?”
The voice made her jump. Dr. Amber Lombardi was standing in front of her, neatly-pressed clothing now disheveled and covered in dust.
“Amber? What are you doing here—?” Campbell whispered, sniffling.
"There's a breach, not sure what. I'm evacuating."
"Yeah, but, why are you //here// here."
"I wanted to see if you were okay."
The edge of Campbell's fear blunted. "That's... That's really nice of you. But no, I'm not okay. They've blocked the way up."
Lombardi scowled. "Damn it. I was worried about that. Do you know what caused the breach?"
Campbell shook her head, her voice trembling. “I don’t know. Something broke out of the AO Warehouse, something... huge. There’s tar—some kind of sludge—coming down the stairwell. It's putrid, just awful. It’s...” She trailed off, shivering as she recalled the voices.
Lombardi nodded, her expression grim. “We need to get out of here."
Campbell glanced at the filing cabinet against the door and then back at her interlocutor. “We can't go that way. The sludge is dripping its way down here and it started on the ground floor. Minus-three had the stuff floor-to-ceiling. Amber, It-It //talks// to you."
Lombardi’s jaw tightened. “Okay, then we go down. We'll take the other stairwell. Shouldn't be too far, let's go. ”
Campbell took a deep breath and nodded, accepting Lombardi's hand as she pulled her partner up to a standing position. Together, they began to move through the labyrinth of cubicles and halls and offices-in-offices, the distant sound of dripping black tar haunting their every step.
[[/div]]
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[[div class="asterisk"]]
[[image http://blightbox.wikidot.com/local--files/2box/extrad5.png]]
[[/div]]
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[[div class="logger medium" style="background:none;"]]
[[span class="VT323"]]MESSAGE LOG FROM:[[/span]] nadiabusiness@anononet
[[span class="VT323"]]MESSAGE LOG TO:[[/span]] jaja_is_you@anononet
@@ @@
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
Hello, is this Jamie? You responded to my ad looking for spatial constructions?
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
wrong person
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
okay who are you and who the fuck told you my name.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
Oh, apologies. We worked together on a similar project about a decade ago.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
shit, it's you guys again, isn't it? can't you just leave me alone? statute of limitations or whatever.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
You responded to our ad.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
fair enough
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
regardless, i have like, negative interest in helping you clowns out, considering past experience. find someone gullible enough to be fooled twice.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
I understand your hesitation. We've considered this possibility, and believe the compensation will be more than satisfactory. The work can also be completed remotely, so as to not compromise your privacy.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
And not to split hairs, but you were in fact fooled twice.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
stick a crowbar between your hinges and get bent
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
Charming.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
hey, you get what you get and you don't get upset
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
anyway, you got me curious. what kind of compensation are we talking? are you gonna give me the internet?
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
Is the satisfaction of having hypothetically saved the world from complete chaos not enough?
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
you're joking, right?
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
...right?
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
Yes, it was a joke. We believe a more personal reward would strike your interest, as opposed to practical or monetary compensation.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
We want to offer you closure.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
go on
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
We have solid intel regarding the whereabouts of an anoNet forums user who goes by the pseudonym Arden Pearson. We believe it is the same individual responsible for the leaks that led to the discovery of your websites.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
bullshit. pearson's opsec is on point. and i know for a fact you guys don't own all the exit nodes for every vpn on the planet
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
How can you be sure?
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
:)
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
besides, i'm over all of that shit with pearson now. i look back on those days with fondness, old squabbles seem so silly in the rear view mirror. that's where you've got me pegged wrong.
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space mint slim left tiny"]]
How so?
[[/div]]
[[div class="darkpanel oheader space orange slim right tiny"]]
i can absolutely be swayed with a monetary incentive. didn't you see my paywall?
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
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[[div class="asterisk"]]
[[image http://blightbox.wikidot.com/local--files/2box/extrad5.png]]
[[/div]]
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[[div class="oheader quatro dark opaque large" style=""]]
Amber Lombardi and Aberdeen Campbell made their way through the shadowed ruins of the lower levels, navigating by the faint emergency lighting that flickered intermittently along the walls. The tar-like substance seemed to loom just at the edges of their senses, and every distant creak of the facility sent jolts of anxiety through them both.
They stopped at the entrance to the second stairwell, hoping for some chance of escape. Lombardi pulled the door open, and the two peered into the passage.
“Shit.” Campbell muttered, staring at the destruction.
The stairwell had completely collapsed. Massive chunks of concrete and rebar filled the void, twisted into a grotesque monument of ruin. Dripping black tar oozed through the cracks, pooling at the bottom and creeping steadily upward.
“Looks like part of the ceiling gave out,” Lombardi said grimly. “The tar must’ve gotten to the structural supports. This whole place is coming down.”
Campbell let out a shaky breath. “So that’s it. No stairs. We're fucked.”
“There is one other way down.” Lombardi replied without hesitation. “Come on.”
They hurried back the way they came, and Campbell did not consider the need to protest until they rounded the corner and were face-to-face with a bank of elevators. The faint hum of machinery had long since vanished, leaving only silence punctuated by the soft, wet plop of tar spreading through the cracks in the facility.
"Oh. No fucking way. You cannot be serious."
Lombardi spoke with equal parts understanding and annoyance, "Yes fucking way, and I am very serious. Do you want to try your odds with the nightmare goop? You're more than welcome."
The doors to the nearest shaft hung slightly open, bent and warped. Campbell hesitated, staring into the dark abyss. "Hm. I hate this.” she said under her breath.
“You’re not the only one,” Lombardi replied, prying the doors open further. “Let’s go. Careful with the ladder.”
Campbell swallowed hard and climbed in after Lombardi, gripping the cold, slick rungs of the emergency escape ladder, heading in the opposite direction one should be traveling in an emergency. The descent was slow and nerve-wracking, the sounds of the tar’s relentless advance growing louder behind and above them. To stifle intrusive thoughts of an elevator car falling down on top of them, Campbell's weary voice rang out, reverberating in the elevator shaft.
"So, how did it go?" She asked the woman beneath her, hoping Lombardi didn't realize the small talk was purely a distraction.
"How did what go?" Campbell was pretty sure her new companion knew what she was talking about.
"Your presentation?"
Lombardi didn't reply right away. After a moment, she said, "You know... it went well. For a second there, I thought everything was gonna be okay." Her tone was unreadable.
It was Campbell's turn not to respond. The two climbed in silence for most of the trip, taking breaks every so often. The air in the elevator shaft quickly grew stuffy and uncomfortably warm.
Halfway down, the substance began to ooze between the landing doors above them. Thick rivulets of black seeped through the cracks, dripping onto the walls and dripping dangerously close to their hands and feet.
“Keep going!” Lombardi hissed, her voice tense.
Campbell tried to focus on her movements—one rung at a time, careful not to slip. She felt a cold drop of tar splatter onto the shoulder of her lab coat. The researcher stifled a scream, nearly letting go out of fear. A few moments later, she forced air back into her lungs and continued to descend.
By the time they reached floor minus-thirty-eight, the tar was inches away from overtaking the bottom of the ladder, pooled in a viscous mass Campbell took pains to jump over once Lombardi had forced the doors open. They both tumbled out into the hallway, gasping for breath.
“The Gateway,” Lombardi said, pulling Campbell to her feet. “We’re almost there.”
They sprinted through the corridors, their footsteps echoing in the silent, ruined facility. The air felt heavy, suffused with an oppressive energy that wasn't helped by the lack of proper ventilation.
The heavy outer doors of the Extradimensional Testing Lab came into view some time later, around the same time that Lombardi realized she'd lost her badge somewhere. Perhaps it snagged on something in the elevator shaft, or she had dropped it when she was running. Either way, the sound of rushing tar grew louder behind them, a deafening wave of sludge surging through the halls. There was no time to look for it.
Lombardi shoved Campbell toward the airlock. “Get it open!”
“What?! Why me?” Campbell protested, staring at the controls. “It's your department!”
“Hey, dipshit. It ain't level four-point-five.” Lombardi pulled the neck of her coat to reveal a lack of lanyard, glancing back as the wave of tar rounded the corner, an unstoppable tide of churning black.
Campbell fumbled with her collar, trying to find her badge. A moment later, she'd succeeded. A moment after that, she was swiping her badge. Another, the door was opening.
“Go!” Lombardi pushed Campbell inside as the tar surged toward them.
The two women stumbled into the airlock just as the sludge reached the threshold. Lombardi slammed the emergency close button, and the doors sealed shut, cutting off the deafening roar that sounded less like a flowing liquid and more like a living thing choking on an ocean of vomit.
They stood in the dim, claustrophobic space, the muffled sounds of the tar pounding against the other side.
“What now?” Campbell whispered, her voice trembling.
Lombardi turned to the inner doorway, which had opened on its own. They both stepped into the testing lab, doors sliding shut once more.
The massive ring of machinery stood ominously in the center, its faint lights flickering in uneven pulses, casting eerie shadows across the room.
“We’re getting out of here. One way or another.”
[[/div]]
@@
@@
@@
@@
~~~~~
= 𖦹
@@
@@
@@
@@
~~~~~
[[div class="row"]]
[[div class="column"]]
[[<image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/spiral-the-drain/spiral.png style="mix-blend-mode: difference;" width="90%" link="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/spiral-the-drain"]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="column"]]
[[>image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/spiral-the-drain/past.png class="" width="90%"]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
[[<]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/<]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]]
> name: spiral / gate / past / extradim
> author: [[*user Billith]]
> license: cc-by-sa 3.0
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-11T11:10:00 | [
"absurdism",
"action",
"adventure",
"bleak",
"breakout",
"comedy",
"cosmic-horror",
"fantasy",
"horror",
"illustrated",
"metafiction",
"mystery",
"otherworldly",
"science-fiction",
"surrealism",
"tale"
] | OPEN THE GATE - SCP Foundation | 10 | [
"spiral-the-drain",
"scp-2786",
"scp-1549",
"deleted",
"scp-6820",
"scp-2439",
"system:page-tags/tag/surrealistics-dept",
"tactical-theology-hub",
"unreality-hub",
"scp-2719",
"scp-6511",
"scp-3001",
"scp-106",
"scp-8882",
"final-exam",
"narrativistics-and-you",
"scp-3812",
"murphy-law-hub",
"scp-1893",
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"tales-by-year",
"most-recently-created",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed"
] | [] | 1458226771 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/open-the-gate |
|
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</span><span class="hl-identifier">Based</span><span class="hl-code"> on:
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</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
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</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(
to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
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<h1 id="toc0"><span>Pediatric Para-Psychology</span></h1>
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<h1 id="toc1"><span><span style="color: #990011">2025</span></span></h1>
<h2 id="toc2"><span>14 February</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: BauhausLTDemi; font-size: 120%;"><strong><a href="http://www.scpwiki.com/secure-facility-dossier-site-43">Site-43</a>: Lambton County, Ontario, Canada</strong></span></p>
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<p>Dr. Nhung Ngo sat at her desk, eyeing her schedule. Though it mostly consisted of the usual suspects, today would be the first time she was going to meet a new patient, one that was causing her usually calm demeanor to falter. She had met anomalies, she had met immortal beings, she had met children.</p>
<p>But she had never met a <a href="/scp-8726">permanently 6-year-old immortal</a>.</p>
<p>James Everwood-Reynders, the adopted son of Site-43's new resident GoI Specialist and Acroamatic Abatement Chair, was due for his bi-yearly checkup; his first since coming to Site-43 from Site-55 down in Boston. Ngo knew that he had been born from the D-Class Parenthood Program, one of probably the most messed up things she had ever heard the Foundation was actively doing. And that included whatever the hell was going on in 17.</p>
<p>She had read his file; Ngo knew that Dr. Everwood had fought to ensure he was treated like a peer after he was brought onto their team to assist in Dr. Wondertainment research, but had somehow wound up adopting him somewhere along the way. Site-55 was a weird place, but as weird as it was, Site-43 was even weirder still. Due to it's weirdness and resident immortal/James' adopted mother Dr. Ilse Reynders, this seemed like a good place to raise him. <em>Better than 17</em>, Ngo thought.</p>
<p>A knock at the door.</p>
<p>"Come in," she said, putting on a warm smile.</p>
<p>The door opened to reveal a person wearing a sweater with only one sleeve full and a little boy holding a Nintendo Switch, wearing a poofy jacket and knitted cap.</p>
<p>"Hello, Dr. Ngo. I hope you don't mind we're early." Jay Everwood smiled at Ngo, their hand on the boy's left shoulder. "James, <em>como se dice?</em>"</p>
<p>"Hi." James didn't look up from his Switch.</p>
<p>"No worries at all, Jay. How is Dr. Reynders?" She got up from her desk, picking up a clipboard.</p>
<p>"Ilse is well. She's still obsessed with Gushers; to the point where James here can barely sneak one packet whenever we buy a box. But high fructose corn syrup aside, they are doing okay." Everwood laughed.</p>
<p>"That's great to hear. Maybe not the high fructose corn syrup bit, but I'm glad she's enjoying life. Come in, come in."</p>
<p>Everwood and James entered the office, and his adoptive parent held out their hand to him, signaling to hand over the toy. James grumbled but obliged, putting his Switch into sleep mode and letting them take it.</p>
<p>"You'll get it back when you're done with Dr. Ngo, okay?"</p>
<p>"Okay…" He pouted.</p>
<p>"Come on, sit on the couch and listen to what she has to say, and make sure to answer her questions. Be good. Love you." Everwood leaned down and kissed the top of James' head. The boy hopped up onto Ngo's couch while the psychologist sat across from him in a comfy arm chair.</p>
<p>"See you in an hour, Jay." Ngo grinned as they waved a goodbye to her, shutting the door behind them.</p>
<p>The boy seemed standoffish. He was not making eye contact, instead opting to stare at his shoes. She cleared her throat and reached behind her ear for a pen to start taking notes.</p>
<p>"Hello, James. My name is Dr. Ngo."</p>
<p>No response came.</p>
<p>"Your parent tells me you're a very sweet kid. What do you think?"</p>
<p>No response once more.</p>
<p>"Are you shy?"</p>
<p>He nodded, but did not look up.</p>
<p>"Well, that's okay. I am a stranger, after all, but I'm a friend of your parents and I'm here to help you assimilate into Site-43."</p>
<p>"What does ass… assimini… assimilate mean?" James looked up but appeared to be staring through her.</p>
<p>"It means to make yourself at home." Ngo smiled reassuringly.</p>
<p>"My old home was Site-55. I used to play with Rex, May, and Chidi. They were my parent's em…employees."</p>
<p>"Wow, you're using big words, James. I'm sure both your parents are proud of you." Ngo said, looking down on her clipboard and taking notes.</p>
<p>"I don't know my real parents," he said plainly, eyes shifting back down to his shoes.</p>
<p>Ngo wrote this down before continuing. "Does that bother you, James?"</p>
<p>"Why?"</p>
<p>"Well, most people know their parents. Though based on your file, I know you are not exactly a normal kid."</p>
<p>"I'm an ess-see-pee. Ess-see-pee-8726. My mom and dad were from Site-17, but I spent a long time with Dr. Everwood in Site-55 with Rex, May, and Chidi. But now Dr. Reynders is my mom and Dr. Everwood is my parent."</p>
<p>"That's right." Ngo blinked. How much had they told him about his nature? Surely telling a kid this much, especially one that was also an anomaly was against some sort of ethics code. "Who told you all of this, James?"</p>
<p>"The people I was with before Dr. Everwood," he stated innocently. Ngo sighed and flipped through her clipboard's attached SCP-8726 file, taking note of the fact that James had indeed originally come from Site-17.</p>
<p><em>What a terrible place,</em> she thought. "Well, James, we at Site-43 do things differently."</p>
<p>"I know."</p>
<p>"Oh?"</p>
<p>"Yes. We live in a house and not underground like everyone else."</p>
<p>"That's true. You're very smart, James." Ngo looked over at him, noticing he was biting his fingernails.</p>
<p>No response.</p>
<p>"Is something bothering you?"</p>
<p>He nodded.</p>
<p>"What is it?"</p>
<p>"Why is your name Dr. No?"</p>
<p>"I don't understand."</p>
<p>"Your name is Dr. No. Why aren't you Dr. Yes?"</p>
<p>Ngo was taken aback momentarily, but laughed at his question.</p>
<p>"My name is Dr. Ngo. N-G-O."</p>
<p>"That's a weird name."</p>
<p>"That's not a very nice thing to say, James."</p>
<p>"Sorry…" The boy shrunk away, somehow managing to avoid eye contact even harder.</p>
<p>"It's okay, you didn't know. But now you do. It's a Vietnamese name. My parents are from Vietnam."</p>
<p>"What is Vietnam?" He looked up quizzically.</p>
<p>"A country in east Asia. Would you like for me to show you it?"</p>
<p>His eyes lit up. Ngo smiled and produced her phone from within her pocket. She unlocked it and looked up information on the country, then moved to sit behind James. Maps, images of landscapes, water puppet theater, Ðông Hồ paintings, the former imperial city of Huế, Áo dài, the Hùng Kings' Festival, and images of Hanoi; time continued to creep forward, and Ngo and James only became more invested in their little exchange. Eventually, he was resting his head on her shoulder as they continued to talk.</p>
<p>After some time of sharing her culture with James, she decided it was time to get back on track. "Very cool, right?" she asked, locking her phone and putting it away.</p>
<p>"Yeah! I liked the dragons."</p>
<p>"Me too! But James, I wanted to talk to you about how you were feeling about being here." Ngo retreated to her armchair, leaving James behind on the couch. He seemed disappointed, but willing to accept that the cool part of meeting her was over.</p>
<p>"I don't know…"</p>
<p>"You can tell me. It's my job to listen."</p>
<p>James covered his face with his hands, a gesture Ngo found endearing.</p>
<p>"Everything you tell me is also confidential. That means I don't have to tell your parents," she said, taking note of his behavior on her clipboard.</p>
<p>"Really?" he asked, moving a finger out of the way of his left eye to peek out.</p>
<p>"Yes, really. Anything you want to tell me, I can't tell them."</p>
<p>"…. I miss the kids I used to play with."</p>
<p>"I see. Being around someone your age can be a good way to stay enriched. But James, there are difficulties in that because—"</p>
<p>"I don't get old." His hands left his face, which was now formed into a slight pout.</p>
<p>"… Yes." Ngo sighed. "But I know of a few people who also don't get old."</p>
<p>"Mom doesn't get old."</p>
<p>"Besides her. They're all grown-ups though, so I don't know how you would get along with them." Her voice trailed off a bit at the end of the sentence.</p>
<p>"It's okay. I know how to talk to grown-ups. Even if they like to boss me around."</p>
<p>"I'm not here to boss you around, James."</p>
<p>"You're nice to me. But I know you're just a grown-up doing a job."</p>
<p>Ngo paused, taken aback by the kid's bluntness. Though he hadn't strictly said as much, he had just effectively told her to take a hike for trying to psychoanalyze him.</p>
<p>"That's right. And right now, my job is to make sure you're doing okay. So tell me, are you doing okay, James?"</p>
<p>"No."</p>
<p>Again with the bluntness. There was a brief silence, accentuated by Ngo writing notes on her clipboard.</p>
<p>"Sorry to hear that. What else is bothering you?"</p>
<p>Silence. James fidgeted in his seat.</p>
<p>"Would you like some paper and colors to help you get your feelings out?"</p>
<p>He nodded vigorously, watching as the woman then stood to fetch some copy papers from her desk, alongside a pack of crayons she had bought in anticipation of his appointment. She handed them to James, who eagerly took them and started drawing on the floor of her office.</p>
<p>"What are you drawing there, James?"</p>
<p>"It's a secret."</p>
<p>"Okay. So now that you're drawing, do you want to tell me what else is on your mind?"</p>
<p>"Mom keeps eating the Gushers. My parent says that she's just excited to have new food after something that happened to her, but they won't tell me what."</p>
<p>"Your mom… she had something bad happen to her. Something to do with… actually, I don't think they want to tell you what happened to her yet."</p>
<p>"Why?"</p>
<p>"Why what?" Ngo asked.</p>
<p>"Why don't they want to tell me?"</p>
<p>"Because it's a lot for a kid like you to take in."</p>
<p>"But I want to know."</p>
<p>"We can ask your parent when they come to get you, how does that sound?"</p>
<p>James hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.</p>
<p>"Okay. Good. Now, James, I want you to tell me about how you feel about your time in Site-17…"</p>
<p>A knock at the door. It was Everwood, holding James' Switch. James got up and ran towards them, hugging their leg.</p>
<p>"Hey, Dr. Ngo. How was it?" they grinned.</p>
<p>"As far as psychotherapy sessions go, not very fruitful, but I'm glad to report that we have established a degree of rapport. His next session will likely be much better." Ngo watched as James took back his Switch and activated it again, sounds of a Pokemon battle becoming audible.</p>
<p>"Well, that's good. I wanted to ask, can we bring him back again next week?"</p>
<p>"Oh? Sure. Any particular reason?"</p>
<p>"I'm worried that moving him to a new environment might be impacting him negatively. That and it's hard for him to make friends his age since, you know. Oh and, there's my inevitable mortality." Everwood's volume reduced as they spoke, but James still picked up on it.</p>
<p>"What does mortality mean?"</p>
<p>"Don't worry about it yet, kiddo." they fussed his hair, and he returned his focus to his game.</p>
<p>Ngo nodded. "I understand. It would be my pleasure to see him next week. What do you say, James? Are you looking forward to seeing me in a few days?"</p>
<p>He didn't respond; too enraptured by the Venonat he was battling. Everwood nudged him. "James."</p>
<p>"Yes, Dr. Ngo," he replied, looking up at her with a smile.</p>
<p>"Alright. We'll see you around, Nhung. Thank you." Everwood waved and turned with James in tow. Ngo followed them out into the hallway, arms folded and smiling as the two walked away. James looked up from his game to Everwood and tugged at their empty sleeve.</p>
<p>"What happened to mom?" he asked.</p>
<p>Ngo blanked, she had forgotten. Everwood turned to look back at her. They made brief eye contact, during which Everwood was able to discern that Ngo hadn't fully told him, but may have let some details slip. Everwood sighed and turned to James, who was looking up at them.</p>
<p>"What do you mean?" they asked, hoping it was a misunderstanding.</p>
<p>"Dr. Ngo said that something bad happen to mom a long time ago. What happened to her?"</p>
<p>"James, honey. This is a conversation we need to have with her present, okay?"</p>
<p>"But I want to know!"</p>
<p>Everwood sighed, kneeling down to have their head at the same level as James'. They put their only hand on his right shoulder and took a deep breath.</p>
<p>"Your mom… she had an accident in the ADDC a long time ago."</p>
<p>"What's ADDC?"</p>
<p>"Anomalous Document Disposal Chamber."</p>
<p>He blinked in confusion. Everwood smiled and looked down for a moment, then back to him.</p>
<p>"It's where they got rid of weird books and things like that."</p>
<p>James nodded.</p>
<p>"Anyway. She got stuck down there in 1943 and only got out a little less than four years ago."</p>
<p>He started counting on his fingers before giving up at nine.</p>
<p>Everwood laughed and Ngo grinned.</p>
<p>"Whatcha counting there, buddy?" They asked.</p>
<p>"The years mom was in there."</p>
<p>"You're gonna run out of fingers mighty quick if you triy that." Everwood chuckled, fussing his hair. "But anyway, we really should talk about this with your mom. So we'll do that when we get back to Grand Bend, okay?"</p>
<p>"Okay."</p>
<p>The one-armed doctor rose to their full height and looked over to the psychologist.</p>
<p>"Thank you, Nhung."</p>
<p>"I didn't do anything. That young man is very emotionally mature for his age." She shrugged.</p>
<p>"I'm old for my age." James nonchalantly said, returning his attention to his game.</p>
<p>"Oh! Before you go, Jay. Look what James drew today." Ngo reached over to her desk and grabbed the paper the boy had been doodling on earlier. "Isn't it lovely?"</p>
<div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}">
<div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="The Pursuit Of Knowledge, And Other Frivolities">
<p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/">The Pursuit Of Knowledge, And Other Frivolities</a></p>
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<div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="On Guard 43 Hub">
<p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/on-guard-43-hub">On Guard 43 Hub</a></p>
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<div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="The World Was Quiet Here">
<p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/">The World Was Quiet Here</a></p>
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<p><strong>Filename:</strong> ngo.png<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/agente-shuffle" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5065762); return false;"><img alt="Agente Shuffle" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5065762&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736003210" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5065762)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/agente-shuffle" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5065762); return false;">Agente Shuffle</a></span><br/>
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[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:blankstyle">:scp-wiki:theme:blankstyle</a>]]
[[div]]
[[=]]
+ Pediatric Para-Psychology
[[/=]]
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[[image http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-b-b-decommission/Asterisk43.png]]
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+ ##990011|2025##
++ 14 February
[[span style="font-family: BauhausLTDemi; font-size: 120%;"]]**[http://www.scpwiki.com/secure-facility-dossier-site-43 Site-43]: Lambton County, Ontario, Canada**[[/span]]
[[/=]]
-----
Dr. Nhung Ngo sat at her desk, eyeing her schedule. Though it mostly consisted of the usual suspects, today would be the first time she was going to meet a new patient, one that was causing her usually calm demeanor to falter. She had met anomalies, she had met immortal beings, she had met children.
But she had never met a [[[scp-8726|permanently 6-year-old immortal]]].
James Everwood-Reynders, the adopted son of Site-43's new resident GoI Specialist and Acroamatic Abatement Chair, was due for his bi-yearly checkup; his first since coming to Site-43 from Site-55 down in Boston. Ngo knew that he had been born from the D-Class Parenthood Program, one of probably the most messed up things she had ever heard the Foundation was actively doing. And that included whatever the hell was going on in 17.
She had read his file; Ngo knew that Dr. Everwood had fought to ensure he was treated like a peer after he was brought onto their team to assist in Dr. Wondertainment research, but had somehow wound up adopting him somewhere along the way. Site-55 was a weird place, but as weird as it was, Site-43 was even weirder still. Due to it's weirdness and resident immortal/James' adopted mother Dr. Ilse Reynders, this seemed like a good place to raise him. //Better than 17//, Ngo thought.
A knock at the door.
"Come in," she said, putting on a warm smile.
The door opened to reveal a person wearing a sweater with only one sleeve full and a little boy holding a Nintendo Switch, wearing a poofy jacket and knitted cap.
"Hello, Dr. Ngo. I hope you don't mind we're early." Jay Everwood smiled at Ngo, their hand on the boy's left shoulder. "James, //como se dice?//"
"Hi." James didn't look up from his Switch.
"No worries at all, Jay. How is Dr. Reynders?" She got up from her desk, picking up a clipboard.
"Ilse is well. She's still obsessed with Gushers; to the point where James here can barely sneak one packet whenever we buy a box. But high fructose corn syrup aside, they are doing okay." Everwood laughed.
"That's great to hear. Maybe not the high fructose corn syrup bit, but I'm glad she's enjoying life. Come in, come in."
Everwood and James entered the office, and his adoptive parent held out their hand to him, signaling to hand over the toy. James grumbled but obliged, putting his Switch into sleep mode and letting them take it.
"You'll get it back when you're done with Dr. Ngo, okay?"
"Okay..." He pouted.
"Come on, sit on the couch and listen to what she has to say, and make sure to answer her questions. Be good. Love you." Everwood leaned down and kissed the top of James' head. The boy hopped up onto Ngo's couch while the psychologist sat across from him in a comfy arm chair.
"See you in an hour, Jay." Ngo grinned as they waved a goodbye to her, shutting the door behind them.
The boy seemed standoffish. He was not making eye contact, instead opting to stare at his shoes. She cleared her throat and reached behind her ear for a pen to start taking notes.
"Hello, James. My name is Dr. Ngo."
No response came.
"Your parent tells me you're a very sweet kid. What do you think?"
No response once more.
"Are you shy?"
He nodded, but did not look up.
"Well, that's okay. I am a stranger, after all, but I'm a friend of your parents and I'm here to help you assimilate into Site-43."
"What does ass... assimini... assimilate mean?" James looked up but appeared to be staring through her.
"It means to make yourself at home." Ngo smiled reassuringly.
"My old home was Site-55. I used to play with Rex, May, and Chidi. They were my parent's em...employees."
"Wow, you're using big words, James. I'm sure both your parents are proud of you." Ngo said, looking down on her clipboard and taking notes.
"I don't know my real parents," he said plainly, eyes shifting back down to his shoes.
Ngo wrote this down before continuing. "Does that bother you, James?"
"Why?"
"Well, most people know their parents. Though based on your file, I know you are not exactly a normal kid."
"I'm an ess-see-pee. Ess-see-pee-8726. My mom and dad were from Site-17, but I spent a long time with Dr. Everwood in Site-55 with Rex, May, and Chidi. But now Dr. Reynders is my mom and Dr. Everwood is my parent."
"That's right." Ngo blinked. How much had they told him about his nature? Surely telling a kid this much, especially one that was also an anomaly was against some sort of ethics code. "Who told you all of this, James?"
"The people I was with before Dr. Everwood," he stated innocently. Ngo sighed and flipped through her clipboard's attached SCP-8726 file, taking note of the fact that James had indeed originally come from Site-17.
//What a terrible place,// she thought. "Well, James, we at Site-43 do things differently."
"I know."
"Oh?"
"Yes. We live in a house and not underground like everyone else."
"That's true. You're very smart, James." Ngo looked over at him, noticing he was biting his fingernails.
No response.
"Is something bothering you?"
He nodded.
"What is it?"
"Why is your name Dr. No?"
"I don't understand."
"Your name is Dr. No. Why aren't you Dr. Yes?"
Ngo was taken aback momentarily, but laughed at his question.
"My name is Dr. Ngo. N-G-O."
"That's a weird name."
"That's not a very nice thing to say, James."
"Sorry..." The boy shrunk away, somehow managing to avoid eye contact even harder.
"It's okay, you didn't know. But now you do. It's a Vietnamese name. My parents are from Vietnam."
"What is Vietnam?" He looked up quizzically.
"A country in east Asia. Would you like for me to show you it?"
His eyes lit up. Ngo smiled and produced her phone from within her pocket. She unlocked it and looked up information on the country, then moved to sit behind James. Maps, images of landscapes, water puppet theater, Ðông Hồ paintings, the former imperial city of Huế, Áo dài, the Hùng Kings' Festival, and images of Hanoi; time continued to creep forward, and Ngo and James only became more invested in their little exchange. Eventually, he was resting his head on her shoulder as they continued to talk.
After some time of sharing her culture with James, she decided it was time to get back on track. "Very cool, right?" she asked, locking her phone and putting it away.
"Yeah! I liked the dragons."
"Me too! But James, I wanted to talk to you about how you were feeling about being here." Ngo retreated to her armchair, leaving James behind on the couch. He seemed disappointed, but willing to accept that the cool part of meeting her was over.
"I don't know..."
"You can tell me. It's my job to listen."
James covered his face with his hands, a gesture Ngo found endearing.
"Everything you tell me is also confidential. That means I don't have to tell your parents," she said, taking note of his behavior on her clipboard.
"Really?" he asked, moving a finger out of the way of his left eye to peek out.
"Yes, really. Anything you want to tell me, I can't tell them."
".... I miss the kids I used to play with."
"I see. Being around someone your age can be a good way to stay enriched. But James, there are difficulties in that because--"
"I don't get old." His hands left his face, which was now formed into a slight pout.
"... Yes." Ngo sighed. "But I know of a few people who also don't get old."
"Mom doesn't get old."
"Besides her. They're all grown-ups though, so I don't know how you would get along with them." Her voice trailed off a bit at the end of the sentence.
"It's okay. I know how to talk to grown-ups. Even if they like to boss me around."
"I'm not here to boss you around, James."
"You're nice to me. But I know you're just a grown-up doing a job."
Ngo paused, taken aback by the kid's bluntness. Though he hadn't strictly said as much, he had just effectively told her to take a hike for trying to psychoanalyze him.
"That's right. And right now, my job is to make sure you're doing okay. So tell me, are you doing okay, James?"
"No."
Again with the bluntness. There was a brief silence, accentuated by Ngo writing notes on her clipboard.
"Sorry to hear that. What else is bothering you?"
Silence. James fidgeted in his seat.
"Would you like some paper and colors to help you get your feelings out?"
He nodded vigorously, watching as the woman then stood to fetch some copy papers from her desk, alongside a pack of crayons she had bought in anticipation of his appointment. She handed them to James, who eagerly took them and started drawing on the floor of her office.
"What are you drawing there, James?"
"It's a secret."
"Okay. So now that you're drawing, do you want to tell me what else is on your mind?"
"Mom keeps eating the Gushers. My parent says that she's just excited to have new food after something that happened to her, but they won't tell me what."
"Your mom... she had something bad happen to her. Something to do with... actually, I don't think they want to tell you what happened to her yet."
"Why?"
"Why what?" Ngo asked.
"Why don't they want to tell me?"
"Because it's a lot for a kid like you to take in."
"But I want to know."
"We can ask your parent when they come to get you, how does that sound?"
James hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.
"Okay. Good. Now, James, I want you to tell me about how you feel about your time in Site-17..."
[[div]]
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[[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-b-b-decommission/Asterisk43.png]]
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[[/=]]
[[/div]]
A knock at the door. It was Everwood, holding James' Switch. James got up and ran towards them, hugging their leg.
"Hey, Dr. Ngo. How was it?" they grinned.
"As far as psychotherapy sessions go, not very fruitful, but I'm glad to report that we have established a degree of rapport. His next session will likely be much better." Ngo watched as James took back his Switch and activated it again, sounds of a Pokemon battle becoming audible.
"Well, that's good. I wanted to ask, can we bring him back again next week?"
"Oh? Sure. Any particular reason?"
"I'm worried that moving him to a new environment might be impacting him negatively. That and it's hard for him to make friends his age since, you know. Oh and, there's my inevitable mortality." Everwood's volume reduced as they spoke, but James still picked up on it.
"What does mortality mean?"
"Don't worry about it yet, kiddo." they fussed his hair, and he returned his focus to his game.
Ngo nodded. "I understand. It would be my pleasure to see him next week. What do you say, James? Are you looking forward to seeing me in a few days?"
He didn't respond; too enraptured by the Venonat he was battling. Everwood nudged him. "James."
"Yes, Dr. Ngo," he replied, looking up at her with a smile.
"Alright. We'll see you around, Nhung. Thank you." Everwood waved and turned with James in tow. Ngo followed them out into the hallway, arms folded and smiling as the two walked away. James looked up from his game to Everwood and tugged at their empty sleeve.
"What happened to mom?" he asked.
Ngo blanked, she had forgotten. Everwood turned to look back at her. They made brief eye contact, during which Everwood was able to discern that Ngo hadn't fully told him, but may have let some details slip. Everwood sighed and turned to James, who was looking up at them.
"What do you mean?" they asked, hoping it was a misunderstanding.
"Dr. Ngo said that something bad happen to mom a long time ago. What happened to her?"
"James, honey. This is a conversation we need to have with her present, okay?"
"But I want to know!"
Everwood sighed, kneeling down to have their head at the same level as James'. They put their only hand on his right shoulder and took a deep breath.
"Your mom... she had an accident in the ADDC a long time ago."
"What's ADDC?"
"Anomalous Document Disposal Chamber."
He blinked in confusion. Everwood smiled and looked down for a moment, then back to him.
"It's where they got rid of weird books and things like that."
James nodded.
"Anyway. She got stuck down there in 1943 and only got out a little less than four years ago."
He started counting on his fingers before giving up at nine.
Everwood laughed and Ngo grinned.
"Whatcha counting there, buddy?" They asked.
"The years mom was in there."
"You're gonna run out of fingers mighty quick if you triy that." Everwood chuckled, fussing his hair. "But anyway, we really should talk about this with your mom. So we'll do that when we get back to Grand Bend, okay?"
"Okay."
The one-armed doctor rose to their full height and looked over to the psychologist.
"Thank you, Nhung."
"I didn't do anything. That young man is very emotionally mature for his age." She shrugged.
"I'm old for my age." James nonchalantly said, returning his attention to his game.
"Oh! Before you go, Jay. Look what James drew today." Ngo reached over to her desk and grabbed the paper the boy had been doodling on earlier. "Isn't it lovely?"
[[=image ngo.png]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a>
| first=false | last=false| hub=yes
| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ | previous-title=The Pursuit Of Knowledge, And Other Frivolities
| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ | next-title=The World Was Quiet Here
| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/on-guard-43-hub | hub-title=On Guard 43 Hub
]]
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[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]]
=====
> **Filename:** ngo.png
> **Author:** [[*user Agente Shuffle]]
> **License:** CC BY SA 3.0
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-04T11:46:00 | [
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"doctor-everwood",
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] | 1458177466 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pediatric-para-psychology |
|
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</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(
to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div style="display: none;">
<div style="display: none">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ CODE</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- CODE</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="code">
<div class="hl-main">
<pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">BLANKSTYLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2021</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Placeholder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">McD</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HarryBlank</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Based</span><span class="hl-code"> on:
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Paperstack</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Penumbra</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(
to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ CODE</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- CODE</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="code">
<div class="hl-main">
<pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">QUEERSTYLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Queerious</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Forked</span><span class="hl-code"> from:
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Blankstyle</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Placeholder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">McD</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HarryBlank</span><span class="hl-code">
Using:
</span><span class="hl-identifier">White</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Outline</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Classic</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LGBTQ</span><span class="hl-code">+ </span><span class="hl-identifier">Pride</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Logo</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-wiki.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">component</span><span class="hl-special">:pride-highlighter</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Vast</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Shadow</span><span class="hl-code">&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.75</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.75</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/component:pride-highlighter/gp_logo.svg')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditButton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-var">#373737</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Pseudogenesis</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Formats</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudo-div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B22A2A</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-var">#403450</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> "Vast Shadow", </span><span class="hl-string">serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudo-div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:is</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> "Vast Shadow", </span><span class="hl-string">serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>
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<div class="preview">
<p>Fifty-seven stars littered the sky.</p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><strong>🕰️ Word Count: 18.7k Words 🕰️</strong></p>
</div>
<br/>
<hr/>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<h4 id="toc0"><span>Potato Leek Soup</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<h3 id="toc1"><span>Ingredients:</span></h3>
<ul>
<li>2 Large Leeks</li>
<li>2 Cloves of Garlic</li>
<li>6 Large Potatos</li>
<li>2 Tbsp Salted Butter</li>
<li>2 Teaspoons of Salt</li>
<li>1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper</li>
<li>1 Cup of Cream</li>
<li>6 Cups of Chicken Broth/Stock</li>
<li>1 Sprig of Thyme</li>
<li>2 Bay Leaves</li>
<li>1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder</li>
</ul>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc2"><span>Preparation:</span></h3>
<p>Cut your leeks at the root end and halfway up the greens and chop each leek in half. Thoroughly wash between each and every layer of the leeks, as they will have plenty of dirt trapped within. Chop your leeks. Peel both cloves of garlic and crush.</p>
<p>Peel, then dice your potatos and let them sit in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes.</p>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc3"><span>Cooking</span></h3>
<p>In a Dutch oven, throw in your butter and let melt at high heat. Then, add crushed cloves of garlic and your chopped leeks and let simmer for approximately 3 minutes at medium heat. Add in your potatoes and let simmer for a further minute. Then add in your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in all of your chicken broth/stock. Increase the temp to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and add your thyme and bay leaves. Let simmer for 15 minutes.</p>
<p>After 15 minutes, try to pierce the potatos with a fork. If you can pierce them with no resistance, turn off the heat. Fish out the bay leaves, and mash the soup. After fully mashed, add the whole cup of cream to the soup and mix.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>- Clarke Family Recipe</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>The familiar scent of cooked potatoes filled the whole kitchen, only being cut by the aroma of fried onions and garlic.</p>
<p>Grabbing two towels, he picked up the Dutch oven and moved it to the dining room. His mother hurried around, grabbing a heat-safe placemat to set the Dutch oven on. Finally, a loaf of old, pre-sliced sourdough bread was brought to the table.</p>
<p>And they began to eat.</p>
<p>"Andy?" she said.</p>
<p>"Yes?"</p>
<p>"Do you want to do anything tonight?"</p>
<p>"Like?"</p>
<p>"Oh, I don't know. Watch a movie? Play a board game? Something. Anything, really."</p>
<p>"Maybe."</p>
<p>"Heh. That's not a no!"</p>
<p>"Yeah…"</p>
<p>Their spoon is dipped into the soup. Andy eased the spoon into their mouth to taste it. <em>Hot. It is too hot.</em></p>
<p>"This is really good." He stated.</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>"Same recipe as always?"</p>
<p>"Oh, you caught me!"</p>
<p>She laughed.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Do you ever talk to your Aunt Shelly?"</p>
<p>"Sometimes."</p>
<p>"How is she going along?"</p>
<p>"Alright."</p>
<p>"When was the last time you two talked?"</p>
<p>"A week ago."</p>
<p>"Ah."</p>
<p>A torn chunk of sourdough bread was dipped into the soup. He blew on it in a feeble attempt to cool it down before eating it.</p>
<p>"What about you?"</p>
<p>"Hm?"</p>
<p>"When was the last time you and her-"</p>
<p>"Oh. A few weeks ago. Or a few months ago. You know?"</p>
<p>"Yeah."</p>
<p>Minutes passed until the soup was gone. <em>Tasty, as it had always been.</em> He used the remaining sourdough to soak up all of the remaining soup in his bowl.</p>
<p>"I can take that if you're done with it." She said, outstretching her hand.</p>
<p>"It's alright."</p>
<p>"You sure?"</p>
<p>"I can get it."</p>
<p>"Okay, then."</p>
<p>Plates and bowls clanked against each other as they were moved to the kitchen. When he was done, he emptied the Dutch oven into boxes of Tupperware and then into the fridge.</p>
<p>The sink water rushed out of the faucet. He grabbed a sponge to vigorously scrub at the Dutch oven until every single speck of dirtiness was cleansed.</p>
<p>Looking over at his mother, he saw her scrape chunks of food off of the plates into the trash can before they got crammed into the dishwasher.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><em>Tap. Tap. Tap.</em></p>
<p>Footsteps rung as Andy Clarke ascended the staircase. He rested upon his bed as he finally entered his room. Andy allowed the warmth and heat of his body to be drained by the cool, soft bedsheets he rested on.</p>
<p>And yet, a light shone directly on his eyes. A turn later, Andy glanced at his curtain.</p>
<p><em>A curtain that had never quite actually fully closed.</em></p>
<p>Several groans later, Andy rolled over on his side away from the light. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep. After twenty-three minutes, Andy's eyes opened.</p>
<p>An urge overwhelmed him which drove him to grab his phone.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc4"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>I found a nice place. The rent is only about $1,400 a month <em>and</em> it's with a roommate.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>I still don't like it.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Mom…</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>It's only your second year. I mean living in it is going to be nice and all, but it would be way better for you to only get it next year.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>I put in a lot of hours over the summer to pay for this.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Only on part-time. Also let's not talk about how stressful this is going to be for you.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Stressful?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Studying for school & working a lot of hours at a job.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Not any more stressful than living in the dorms.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Come on.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>I hated it there.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>I went through my first four years of college in a dorm & you can't even go through one?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Because I could barely sleep, focus, or study in it!</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Andy…</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>I mean it. I'll be happier at my own place.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>I really doubt that.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>It's already been set up.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Fine. But don't come crawling to me asking for me to help pay for it.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p><em>Tap.</em></p>
<p>Typically, the sound of a phone being turned off is not that loud, not that noticeable. Yet, at the moment, it seemed to Andy that it was the loudest sound in the world. Andy closed his eyes, drifting to sleep.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc5"><span>Boarding Pass</span></h3>
<hr/></div>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<th>Flight</th>
<th>Date</th>
<th>Origin</th>
<th>Destination</th>
<th>Seat</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>823</td>
<td>12/AUG/2023</td>
<td>Pittsburgh, PA</td>
<td>Denver, CO</td>
<td>17B</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><strong>Departure:</strong> 05:30</p>
<p><strong>Passenger Name:</strong> Andy Clarke</p>
</div>
<p>Three hours. It took Andy three hours to assemble that simple, stupid desk.</p>
<p>He glanced over to a mattress which was fixed to the ground, accompanied by a box that contained an as-of-yet unassembled bed frame.</p>
<p>Thirsty, he reached for a cup and tried to sip out of it. <em>It was empty.</em> He left his room to go to the kitchen for more water.</p>
<p>Tap water filled the glass. Andy took one sip and nearly spat it out. Not exactly a bad taste, but rather an extremely <em>off</em> one.</p>
<p>A year spent living in Boulder, and this would be the first time that tap water tasted bad to him. He normally didn't mind unfiltered water. He <em>hadn't normally</em> minded it, at least.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Cold air rushed over him as he opened the fridge. Crisp, cool, calming air. An analysis of his fridge saw disappointment.</p>
<p><em>Two containers of cold, buttered noodles,</em><br/>
<em>Three eggs left in a carton,</em><br/>
<em>And a bottle of rum.</em></p>
<p>Not exactly a meal he envied for the fourth day in a row. So he checked his balance.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><em>$127.37</em></p>
</div>
<p>Takeout would not be an option. The money he had would have to last.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc6"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc7"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Andy?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Hey Mom.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Hi!</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> How are you holding up?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Oh, you know. Just awful!</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Uh huh?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I know it's only been a week, but it has felt like forever. Hasn't it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It's only been four days.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Anyways, what are you calling me for?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Bit of a weird question - but do you have the family recipe for potato leek soup?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Uh, the recipe for-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> No, no. I mean- I heard you. Just… what? Why?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Oh, I was just interested in it. I mean - I ate it the other day with you and it just tasted really great.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Really?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I just want to know how to make it. Think it would be useful to know and whatnot.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Well, um. Yeah! Sure. Let me find it really quick.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thank you.</p>
</div>
<p>Horrid. It truly turned out as a horrid meal.</p>
<p>Not when his mother made it, of course. But this was his first-ever attempt at even trying to cook. Ignore the noodles he boiled or the eggs he fried, this was a full-blown meal. His family's prized meal. A mean which he completely messed up.</p>
<p>The pantry revealed next-to-nothing aside from salt, pepper, butter, and garlic powder. Luckily, the grocery store was around a five-minute walk away.</p>
<p>Inside, he grabbed as much as he could remember as he hadn't bothered to write anything down.</p>
<p><em>A cheap can of dried thyme,</em><br/>
<em>A single, four-cup carton of chicken stock,</em><br/>
<em>The first six potatoes he saw,</em><br/>
<em>And a single head of garlic.</em></p>
<p>His biggest pain was that he did not have or buy a vegetable peeler. Resorting to using a flimsy knife to cut off any skin or eyes, he chopped off at least a tenth of his total worth of potatoes.</p>
<p>The potatoes were unwashed. Before, during, and after they were prepared. Dirt which clung to the potato's skin clung to the knife, which rubbed off on the clean interiors of the potatoes as they were cut. All with the flawed reasoning that he had convinced himself of being that the potatoes would be cleaned off in the bowl of water.</p>
<p>While a rough chop was called for the leeks, they were given an impatient hacking-at by Andy. No care was given to ensure that the leeks were clean. Large chunks of soil and earth remained attached to the leeks as they were finished being prepared.</p>
<p>At the very least, Andy didn't waste anything. He used <em>all</em> of the leeks. The roots, dried inedible leaves, and all.</p>
<p>A realization dawned upon him at the last moment; he had no garlic crusher. Instead, he elected to use a mug to smash the garlic that was by some miracle peeled by him.</p>
<p>Without a Dutch oven he was left no choice other than to use a simple, standard pot. The temperature was far, <em>far</em> too high. Garlic and leeks burned the second they touched the pot. Even as he smelled smoke, he let the aromatics burn for the whole three-minutes as the recipe described before he added potatoes. Thankfully, the potatoes still had some water with them and didn't burn.</p>
<p>Whatever little chicken stock he bought was not enough. It failed to cover all of the potatoes without even being simmered down yet.</p>
<p>A second forgotten memory came back. He had not purchased bay leaves at the store. Pushed to the back of his mind, he added in all of the spices. For all three seasonings he used, they all were produced at such a fast speed that he had to have poured in at least twice of the seasonings that the recipe called for.</p>
<p>Unstirred, the boiling potatoes overflowed twice after he tried to cover them.</p>
<p>The one thing Andy had remembered to purchase was a masher. He exerted nearly his full body weight on the masher to, unsuccessfully, grind the potatoes and leeks into chunks.</p>
<p>After the fifteen minutes had passed, Andy turned off the heat and took the soup off of the burner.</p>
<p>It was hot. It was salty. It was peppery. It tasted charred. At times it felt like he was drinking sand. He would find long strands of poorly-chopped leeks that got stuck in his teeth. It was a struggle to choke down his pathetic excuse of a soup. While he did, he opened his phone.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3 id="toc8"><span>Lauren</span></h3>
</div>
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Heyyy. I just got back.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>welcome back!</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>I'm going to be working most of next week, but should be free for the weekend.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>nice.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>do you want to hang out at my apartment over the weekend?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>You have an apartment?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>yea</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>That'd be cool.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>alright</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Maybe Saturday after I get off work?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>sure. I can pick you up if you'd like</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Alright.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>see you then</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>Leftover portions of the soup were placed in containers and then into the fridge. Even if the food was awful, he wouldn't let it go to waste.</p>
<p>Despite his hardest attempts, he couldn't fully clean up. A residue wound up being stuck to the bottom of the pot that would never quite come off. <em>Likely some mix of burnt butter, garlic, and leeks.</em></p>
<p>Looking into the shopping bag, Andy remembered an impulse buy they had made.</p>
<p><em>An ice cube.</em></p>
<p>Although not much, it would at the very least make the tap water he hated taste cold.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><strong>Date Range:</strong> <span style="color: transparent">…………………………………………..</span> AUG/20 | AUG/26</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p><span style="font-size:200%;">Potential Earnings</span></p>
<h1 id="toc9"><span>$457.65</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-size:125%;"><em>Before Taxes & Deductions</em></span></p>
<hr/>
<p><span style="font-size:200%;">Total Time Punched</span></p>
<h1 id="toc10"><span>30:01</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-size:150%;"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">- View Time Punch Details -</span></em></span></p>
<p>~ 21/AUG/2023 - 04:07 Hours Worked<br/>
~ 22/AUG/2023 - 06:01 Hours Worked<br/>
~ 24/AUG/2023 - 06:15 Hours Worked<br/>
~ 25/AUG/2023 - 08:32 Hours Worked<br/>
~ 26/AUG/2023 - 05:36 Hours Worked</p>
<p><span style="font-size:150%;"><em>- Hide Time Punch Details -</em></span></p>
<hr/></div>
<p>Andy grabbed a backpack and hastily shoved his nametag into it. He adorned a non-company sweater and left the breakroom. He walked to the parking lot. A car horn blared as it drove in front of him.</p>
<p>"Andy!"</p>
<p>"Hey."</p>
<p>"You ready to leave?"</p>
<p>"Yep.</p>
<p>Andy throws their backpack into the backseat and sits in the passenger seat.</p>
<p>"So how have you been?"</p>
<p>"Good, good. How'd your summer go."</p>
<p>"Oh, you know. Just spent it here-"</p>
<p>The car drives out of the parking lot.</p>
<p>"-and you're still down to head to my place, by the way?"</p>
<p>"Yep."</p>
<p>"Rad."</p>
<p>"How's your sister holding up?"</p>
<p>"Probably good. I don't really know."</p>
<p>"Oh?"</p>
<p>"We haven't really talked since the start of the summer."</p>
<p>"<em>Oh.</em>"</p>
<p>"Yeah… But what about you. How's your mom hanging in there?"</p>
<p>"She's getting better. Quit smoking, drinking, and all that stuff. But at this point…"</p>
<p>"The damage is already done?"</p>
<p>"Yeah."</p>
<p>"Jesus. Sorry for you.</p>
<p>"Thanks, Lauren."</p>
<p>"Ah shit."</p>
<p>"What?"</p>
<p>"I haven't told you yet."</p>
<p>"Told me what?"</p>
<p>"I don't really go by the name 'Lauren' anymore. I started going by 'Quint' over the summer."</p>
<p>"Oh. Sorry."</p>
<p>"You're good."</p>
<p>"Where'd you get the name Quint, anyway."</p>
<p>"I saw it in an old movie."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Was it Jaws?"</p>
<p>"… Yeah."</p>
<p>"Fair enough."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"So… what prompted you - to start going by Quint."</p>
<p>"Do you know what being non-binary is?"</p>
<p>"Yeah."</p>
<p>"So…"</p>
<p>"I'm going to take a wild fucking guess and ask if you're non-binary."</p>
<p>"Bingo. And you're chill with that?"</p>
<p>"Of course."</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>"No problem."</p>
<p>Two car doors opened at once. Then, Andy and Quint walked into Quint's apartment.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<h4 id="toc11"><span>Potato Leek Soup</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<h3 id="toc12"><span>Ingredients:</span></h3>
<ul>
<li>2 Large Leeks</li>
<li>2 Cloves of Garlic</li>
<li>6 Large Potatos</li>
<li>2 Tbsp Salted Butter</li>
<li>2 Teaspoons of Salt</li>
<li>1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper</li>
<li>1 Cup of Cream</li>
<li>6 Cups of Chicken Broth/Stock</li>
<li>1 Sprig of Thyme</li>
<li>2 Bay Leaves</li>
<li>1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder</li>
</ul>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc13"><span>Preparation:</span></h3>
<p>Cut your leeks at the root end and halfway up the greens and chop each leek in half. Thoroughly wash between each and every layer of the leeks, as they will have plenty of dirt trapped within. Chop your leeks. Peel both cloves of garlic and crush.</p>
<p>Peel, then dice your potatos and let them sit in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes.</p>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc14"><span>Cooking</span></h3>
<p>In a Dutch oven, throw in your butter and let melt at high heat. Then, add crushed cloves of garlic and your chopped leeks and let simmer for approximately 3 minutes at medium heat. Add in your potatos and let simmer for a further minute. Then add in your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in all of your chicken broth/stock. Increase the temp to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and add your thyme and bay leaves. Let simmer for 15 minutes.</p>
<p>After 15 minutes, try to pierce the potatos with a fork. If you can pierce them with no resistance, turn off the heat. Fish out the bay leaves, and mash the soup. After fully mashed, add the whole cup of cream to the soup and mix.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>- Clarke Family Recipe</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>"How exactly in the flying fuck did you manage to burn soup?"</p>
<p>"I don't know."</p>
<p>"It's <em>soup.</em> As in - that shit made of water that you boil stuff in. It is quite literally the opposite of burning."</p>
<p>"To be fair- it wasn't actually while I was boiling it."</p>
<p>"Oh yeah. I assumed as such."</p>
<p>"Then why were you giving me such a hard time about burning it?"</p>
<p>"Because the concept of burnt soup sounds funny."</p>
<p>"…"</p>
<p>"You should try changing it around a bit."</p>
<p>"Changing what?"</p>
<p>"The recipe. Changing the temperature and whatnot to try to avoid burning it. Each stovetop might be different from another."</p>
<p>"What if I undercook it?"</p>
<p>"It's a vegetarian soup. Not like it'll kill you."</p>
<p>"I guess."</p>
<p>"I don't know. Not too much of a chef anymore. Just try to change the recipe until you find something that you like."</p>
<p>"Thanks."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Three times.</p>
<p>Andy thrice checked the shopping list. Seventeen days had passed since he had first tried making the soup. This time, he had prepared a list of the <em>right</em> amount of <em>all the ingredients</em> that he needed. This included all of the tools that he <em>should</em> need. Paramount being a new, $65 Dutch oven.</p>
<p>With a new vegetable peeler, the skin was easily peeled off of all of the potatoes as he needed them. Roots severed and leeks bisected, Andy ran the leeks under cold water and meticulously washed out any semblance of dirt and filth before chopping them. He still came close to having accidentally severed his fingers three times.</p>
<p>In unison, all of his preparation saw improvement.</p>
<p>And even then, with all of his preparation and care, he still forgot the garlic crusher. Rather than use an old reliable mug, he elected to merely peel and chop the garlic. He reasoned that the bigger chunks would burn slower, anyways. Which was what it was about.</p>
<p>The Dutch oven was placed on the stove at a medium-low heat, as Andy now wanted to carefully raise the temperature. Still-cold butter was allowed to melt in the Dutch oven. Just enough butter had been saved from making toast that morning for it. Andy would have to run to the store to get more butter for the rest of the week, later. Finally, in went the garlic and leeks. That was it - it would be important for him to get it right. A new factor Andy had learned was to frequently stir to disperse heat and prevent burning via movement.</p>
<p>Nervousness overswept him. It didn't seem like there was enough fat in the Dutch oven. Maybe it was too wide? Maybe something else went wrong? Regardless as the seconds passed it became more and more likely to him that something was going to burn.</p>
<p>Andy looked around his kitchen. He knew he was out of butter, with all that he had left being a bottle of olive oil. Without much time to think, he let a glug of olive oil into the Dutch oven. That was it. The pot began to sputter and hiss at him as the olive oil dispersed throughout it.</p>
<p>Yet, it seemed to do the trick. The veggies weren't charred. When three minutes passed, he added in stock to deglaze the pan and ensure that any burned surfaces were completely destroyed.</p>
<p>The rest of the cooking time was similar to his original attempt, albeit better executed. More stock, better chunks, and better mashing all contributed. He especially placed care on the seasonings he let into the soup in order to avoid another over-seasoned mess.</p>
<p>When the soup was done, he turned off the burner and served it in a bowl. By this point, Andy knew that he had to wait for the soup to cool down. As he waited in anticipation, he made a call.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc15"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc16"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Hey Andy. What's up?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Not much. Just calling back to ask about the soup.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What about it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Just the recipe you sent me.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Yeah?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Are you sure you sent me the right recipe? Right ratios, cooking time, and whatnot?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Um. Yeah? I'm pretty sure.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Huh.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Is something wrong with it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah, no. It's just… I don't know.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Well, I can double-check it. It might just be something on your end; lack of experience or whatnot. I ought to've taught you how to make it when you were here.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah…</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> But I guess that means that you should visit me sometime soon, huh?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep. Soon.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> You got a plan figured out yet?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Not yet. But - could you just send me the recipe again? Double-check that it's the right one.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Of course.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I think it is the correct one. But it's just like… better to confirm it. You know?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Yeah. I'll send it to you again.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thanks.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Love you.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Love you.</p>
</div>
<p>He waited, waited, waited. A wait for the soup to finally cool down. Once the wait had passed, he sipped his first bite of the soup. It was a great improvement of the first, truly. Yet it still didn't taste quite <em>right…</em></p>
<p>Presentable, sure. If he had been able to eat the first soup, this would be easy. But it still just tasted off, for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Before he knew it, the soup was gone. Immediately followed by him storing the soup in his fridge.</p>
<p>And then came the dishes, utensils, and other implements that all sat around the kitchen. All of them, dirty.</p>
<p>Andy pondered simply deciding to store them in the dishwasher, out of his sight and mind as they were roughly cleaned. Then he remembered his childhood, how often he pointed out dirt and residue on dishes only for his mother to dismiss him, claiming that he had OCD and was making a deal out of nothing.</p>
<p>So he got to work. It took nearly an hour, but he did it. All of the dishes were scrubbed clean of their sin by the time he was done.</p>
<p>His phone read <em>11:47 P.M.</em>. Which meant it was time for him to visit Quint and watch a movie.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Quint pressed a button on their remote. It activated the television. While the streaming service loaded, Quint looked through their fridge.</p>
<p>"You want anything?"</p>
<p>"Nah."</p>
<p>The fridge was then closed.</p>
<p>"I'm going to microwave some popcorn. You sure you don't want any?"</p>
<p>"You know what? Fine."</p>
<p>"Heh."</p>
<p>A single bag of popcorn was placed in the microwave. A few minutes passed before it was ready, at which point Quint tried to hand the bag to Andy.</p>
<p>"I'll wait."</p>
<p>"Really?"</p>
<p>"It's only a few minutes."</p>
<p>"Okay!"</p>
<p>When the second bag was ready, it was granted to Andy. He was joined by Quint as they jumped over the couch next to Andy.</p>
<p>"You ready?"</p>
<p>"Yep."</p>
<p>A button on the remote was clicked. The opening credits of <em>The Thing</em> played.</p>
<p>At first, black completely filled the screen. Pure, empty black which was then broken by the opening credits of the movie. When the credits finished, fifty-seven stars littered the screen.</p>
<p>One of the stars transformed into a spaceship that zoomed toward the camera and then to Earth. The spaceship landed in a cold, desolate land also known as Antartica.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>The film ended with a shot of a bright fire which had engulfed the entirety of the facility, one that would inevitably burn it to the ground.</p>
<p>A facility, built long before, soon to be nothing.</p>
<p>"What a movie." Andy remarked.</p>
<p>"I know, right?"</p>
<p>"I don't know why I didn't see it sooner."</p>
<p>"It's probably my favorite movie, honestly."</p>
<p>"Yeah. I see why."</p>
<p>Fixation overwhelmed him as the final seconds of the movie played. Specifically, he paid attention to just how bright the fire was. How it made a beacon which shone in an otherwise empty, dark, and baren landscape.</p>
<p>"Do you know what time it is?"</p>
<p>He checked his phone.</p>
<p>"One fifty-three A.M."</p>
<p>"Jesus."</p>
<p>"Kinda getting late."</p>
<p>"Yeah… You know. Only a <em>bit</em> late."</p>
<p>"I should probably start heading back. I need to fix up my sleep schedule."</p>
<p>"That is a good idea, yeah."</p>
<p>The pair stood. Quint stretched as Andy checked his phone. While Quint stretched, they saw the back of their hand. Their nails adorned dark-purple nail polish.</p>
<p>"Hey Andy."</p>
<p>"Yeah?"</p>
<p>"You ever had your nails done before?"</p>
<p>"Nope."</p>
<p>"Do you want to have your nails done? Should only be about ten minutes."</p>
<p>"Sure.</p>
<p>A set of nail polish is retrieved and brought before Andy. The set is opened and several unique shades are presented.</p>
<p>"Alright. Pick a color."</p>
<p>"This one."</p>
<p>"Black?"</p>
<p>"Is that alright?</p>
<p>"Of course."</p>
<p>His hands eased while Quint guided them.</p>
<p>"Hold them steady. I don't want to get any polish on your skin."</p>
<p>Over eleven minutes, Quint did Andy's nails. It took time for the polish to dry. But when it was dry, Andy held their new painted nails up in admiration.</p>
<p>"Wow."</p>
<p>"You like them?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. Thank you."</p>
<p>"No problem."</p>
<p>…</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>10:00</p>
</div>
<p>An alarm blared. Andy yawned and stretched his arms, noticing the black which still covered their nails.</p>
<p>Mono colored, pristine, semi-beautiful black. Even after a whole night's rest, it had-</p>
<p>Their alarm blared again, now reading 10:05 A.M.</p>
<p>It was quickly shut off, as well as the other seven alarms Andy had set to ensure he woke up around the right time every morning.</p>
<p>Their roommate's door was open. He was relaxed on his bed and typed on his phone. He barely elected to grant Andy a glance as Andy scurried by with their hand curled into a fist to ensure that their roommate didn't see their nails.</p>
<p>In the kitchen, Andy checked his balance.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3 id="toc17"><span>Bank</span></h3>
</div>
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<p><strong>Aunt Shelley</strong> has sent you $275.00.</p>
<p><em>To help you out with the first few weeks of food for college. Congrats on the apartment!</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc18"><span>Aunt Shelley</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc19"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Hey.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Hey. How ya doing?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Good. And yourself?</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Ah. I'm doing alright here, you know?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah? How's Jess doing?</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Good. She's picking up Cole from practice right now.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Nice.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Did you see the money that I sent you?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. That's why I'm calling. Thank you.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Don't mention it.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> You didn't have to do that, though.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> You kidding me? I don't know how much you have but I know college is rough. Especially nowadays.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah…</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> I remember when I was going through it. Half of the time I was surviving on microwave meals and tv dinners. The other half I had nothing at all. I don't want you to go through that.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Well thank you.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> When are you starting college?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> In a week or two.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Uh huh?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Mostly I've just been spending my time back getting ready for it. You know?</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Yeah. Well I better not get around wasting any more of your time.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It's okay, we can still talk.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> No, no. I also probably have to get a head start on dinner soon.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Aww.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> I'll talk to you later, then.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> See ya.</p>
</div>
<p>The fridge door swung open, a single-serving container of the potato leek soup being taken from it. With the lid removed, it was set in the microwave to cook for four minutes.</p>
<p>A reflection was visible on the microwave. While faint, Andy really had no choice but to stare into it as the minutes passed. That was until Andy raised their hand, taking a glance at their nail polish. Now, despite being a less-close look, they saw the imperfections in their nails. Minor nicks, scratches, and all sorts of blemishes dotted their nails.</p>
<p>The faucet began pouring out water as they applied soap to their nails. There was a wait as the water began to heat. Nail polish on the edge of their nails where it met their skin curled. Andy picked at those curls in an attempt to peel off as much as they could.</p>
<p>The water got hotter, and hotter, <em>and hotter.</em> Until it was so hot that they yanked it back in pain.</p>
<p>Then the microwave beeped, cutting them off.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Cold. It was cold. The soup was cold. Not hot, not warm, not lukewarm, but cold. They would have put it back into the microwave to heat it further, except that merely feeling the soup seemed to overwhelm Andy with a sense of vertigo - making them sit down.</p>
<p>A decision was reached to just eat the cold soup. Beside, Andy heard something about potato leek soup traditionally being served cold. Surely this would be good.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Abhorrent. An abhorrent, abnormally uninviting soup in stark contrast to the presentable soup the prior night.</p>
<p>Still, Andy scarfed it down.</p>
<p>When Andy had finished the soup, they walked to the sink and cleaned it. The soup seemed to easily wash away. At least, wash away much easier than their nail polish had. Andy looked at their nails one last time, noting how they looked similar to when they had awoken.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc20"><span>Grocery List</span></h3>
<hr/></div>
<ul>
<li>6x Potatoes</li>
<li>1x Carton of Milk</li>
<li>12x Cans of Soda</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>The cashier scanned Andy's select few items. The beeping of scanner and overall noise were drowned out by an abject nothing that flooded Andy's ears.</p>
<p>"That'll by $20.15."</p>
<p>"Huh?"</p>
<p>"Your total."</p>
<p>"Oh, sorry."</p>
<p>Their credit card was inserted into the reader.</p>
<p>"I like your nails."</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>"Where'd you get the polish from? It looks nice."</p>
<p>"One of my friends."</p>
<p>"Ah. Well, I think your nails look pretty regardless."</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>…</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>17:20</p>
</div>
<p>The key slid into the lock and the front door opened. Andy put all of the groceries they had bought into their fridge and cupboards.</p>
<p>After the last grocery is put in the fridge, they take out the final portion of potato leek soup. Their roommate is nowhere to be seen, although Andy assumed they had eaten some of it.</p>
<p>Six minutes. The soup spent six minutes in the microwave. By the time it was done, it was so hot that Andy needed oven gloves to remove it. They knew it would be a while before it cooled down to a point of edibility.</p>
<p>Rather than wait, Andy opened their freezer and pulled out the ice cube tray. They popped out a single ice cube and dropped it in the soup, using their spoon to stir it around.</p>
<p>When they took a sip, the soup was palatable. Better than being eaten cold and arguably better than the night it was cooked, but still just not quite there.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<p><span style="font-size:125%;">Hello, Andy!</span></p>
<hr/>
<p>You have started your shift at 16:58.</p>
<p>Your shift is scheduled to end at 22:30. You are entitled to receive <span style="text-decoration: underline;">one</span> rest break throughout the shift.</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>25/SEP/2023</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>"Andy!"</p>
<p>"Quint?"</p>
<p>"Hey!"</p>
<p>"Hey. Why are you here?"</p>
<p>Quint showed Andy a six-pack of energy drinks.</p>
<p>"For you."</p>
<p>"Aww. Thanks."</p>
<p>The nail has been picked off of Andy's nails, which Quint glances at. They point at Andy's hand.</p>
<p>"Did you not like them?"</p>
<p>"Oh, no. I did. I just woke up and they mostly had fallen off already. Figured I'd remove them."</p>
<p>"Uh huh?"</p>
<p>"I was actually thinking about getting some of my own."</p>
<p>"Like, to apply?"</p>
<p>"Yeah."</p>
<p>"Holy shit."</p>
<p>"What?"</p>
<p>"Nothing, nothing. But you should totally come over to my place later so I can help you learn how to apply it."</p>
<p>"I can't today."</p>
<p>"Then in a few days?"</p>
<p>"Sure."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>With the scribbling of a sharpie, a sticky-note was placed on Andy's drinks to assert them as theirs to their roommate.</p>
<p>After that, Andy moved to their room and sat down at their desk. They opened their laptop to pass later into the night.</p>
<p>Throughout the night, Andy grew curious.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>🔍︎ Search the web</td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
<p>…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..</p>
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>🔍︎ Prettiest nail polish colors</td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
<p>…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..</p>
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>🔍︎ Tutorial for applying nail polish at home</td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
<p>…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..</p>
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>🔍︎ Where to buy nail polish in Boulder, Colorado</td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>Andy watched as an unfamiliar person left Quint's apartment and walked to a car. As they drove away, Andy moved to knock on Quint's door.</p>
<p>"Hey Andy. Come in!"</p>
<p>They enter the house.</p>
<p>"Who was that?"</p>
<p>"Huh?"</p>
<p>"That person who just left your apartment. I saw them walking out."</p>
<p>"Oh, yeah. That's my roommate. She's leaving to go to work."</p>
<p>"Uh huh?"</p>
<p>The hair atop Quint's head had been cut short in the three days since Andy and Quint last hung out.</p>
<p>"Nice cut."</p>
<p>"Thanks."</p>
<p>"You like it?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. I've wanted to cut my hair short for a while. Takes less care."</p>
<p>"I'm starting to grow mine out. Save money on getting haircuts."</p>
<p>"Oh yeah?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. I head about Bob Ross doing that before he got a show."</p>
<p>"Is that why he had the afro?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. Although I did read something about how he ended up hating his hair."</p>
<p>"You ready?"</p>
<p>"Yep.</p>
<p>It took a minute, but Quint retrieved thirteen different shades of nail polish and brought them to the table in front of Andy.</p>
<p>"Pick one."</p>
<p>"Black is fine."</p>
<p>"Pick another."</p>
<p>"Dark blue?"</p>
<p>"And another."</p>
<p>"I don't know. Purple?"</p>
<p>"And another-"</p>
<p>"Ain't we just painting my nails a single color?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. They're for you."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"What?"</p>
<p>"I have more than enough already."</p>
<p>"I'll just take those three, I guess."</p>
<p>"You sure."</p>
<p>"Yes I'm sure."</p>
<p>"Okay, then."</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>"Don't mention it."</p>
<p>"Okay. You're going to want to start with the nail base-"</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Late at night, Andy laid in bed and watched videos on their phone. Video after video on Youtube of short, two-to-five-minute-long nail polish tutorials.</p>
<p>A method they had been taught by their scrolling was finally fully functionally devised.</p>
<p>Before Andy could enact it, they moved to their bathroom with nail polish. They tried as hard as they could to be quiet as they knew their roommate was asleep.</p>
<p>A bottle of nail polish remover was opened, soon placed on Andy's nails in an effort to wear out the paint.</p>
<p>One minute passed. Then two minutes. Then three minutes.</p>
<p><em>Then five minutes.</em></p>
<p>After exactly seven minutes a nozzle is turned and hot water begins to pour out of the faucet. Nail polish which touched Andy's skin had already began to peel and curl up. Andy grabbed the nail polish and meticulously peeled off as much as they could.</p>
<p>Streaks and dots of nail polish once again littered their nails. Running their nails under the hot water did help, although specks of nail polish remained never-the-less.</p>
<p>A short trip to the kitchen saw Andy grab a few sheets of paper towels before they retreated to their room.</p>
<p>The paper towels were strewn on the table. Andy grabbed the dark purple nail polish, nail base, and coat.</p>
<p>Nail base came first. It flowed along his nails, although admittedly a bit too much was applied.</p>
<p>Then came the first layer of nail polish. Although inconsistent in its application, it generally avoided overlap onto their skin.</p>
<p>Five minutes passed.</p>
<p>Then came the second layer of nail polish. Now, it coated every atom of their nails and more. In several cases it fell onto their skin.</p>
<p>Andy picked away at the excess nail polish with a nail file attached to their nail clipper to scrape off as much as they could. But still a thin layer solidified within seconds of it being applied, fusing to their skin.</p>
<p>Five minutes passed.</p>
<p>And the coat was applied over all of the polish.</p>
<p>What Andy was left with was obvious. <em>A disaster.</em> Their nails were bumpy, the nail polish looked ugly, nail polish had gotten stuck under their nails. It was a fiasco.</p>
<p>And yet, it hardly mattered. It was <em>theirs.</em> They had applied the nail polish on their own. Never mind the imperfections, Andy was left in admiration of their work.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>In the parking lot, Andy was left in panic. It was a quick trip, with them only needing to grab one item.</p>
<p>But, their nails remained. Near-pristine. <em>As pristine as shoddily-applied nail polish could be.</em></p>
<p>When they left their car their fingers were curled into a fist. It was enough for Andy to feel comfortable walking in public with markings on their nails.</p>
<p>Twenty-seven seconds passed after Andy entered the store. They passed a clothing aisle. A previously fast pace slowed down as an outfit got caught in the corner of their eye.</p>
<p>A mannequin adorning a long, brown pocketed skirt, a mini-belt, and a long-sleeved brown shirt.</p>
<p>Their phone rang.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc21"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc22"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Andy!</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Hey.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Is now a good time to talk for a bit?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Not really.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Aww. Well I'll keep it brief.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Mom-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> So how's school going so far this year? Good, I hope.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Uh huh? You liking your new classes?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> So far…</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> How about, um… That apartment of yours! Is it doing you well?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I like it. It's been a lot less stressful than the dorms.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I still think you're overplaying it a bit.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Come on.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I mean - no use arguing it now. It's over with. But still.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> So, yeah… To be frank, I'm not sure that I like my roommate too much.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Really?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. He's been eating all my food, not doing dishes. All that stuff.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Well that's just what happens when you rent your own place. Stuff isn't so easy.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> And that wouldn't have happened in dorms?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Really?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> What?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> People had a lot more manners back when I was in the dorms. When I moved out-</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Hang on- I need to grab something real quick. I'll have to call you back later.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Well, hang on. Just another minute or two?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah… Sure.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> How's that soup coming along for ya? Did you have the right recipe?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah, I did.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Did it work out better the second time around?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. Did end up tweaking the recipe around a bit.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I think my stovetop is wonky. Had to adjust the heat, add in a bit of olive oil.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Andy! You should have called me first.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I mean - I did. Just, right before I started cooking.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> You- … Andy, you know what I meant.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Oh? Sorry, then. Don't see how it was that big of a deal.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What did you change with it? What was the whole recipe you used?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Um. Pretty much the same recipe? I just changed around the cooking time a little bit.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Okay. What was the whole recipe.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't remember-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Well, there you go! That's cause you didn't follow a recipe. And now you're complaining about how it turned out bad.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Mom-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What?!</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't remember it off the top of my head!</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Do you have a copy of it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Not right now.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Uh huh?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> All that I changed was the cooking time because I burned the garlic the first time.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Why?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> One of my friends suggested it.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Who?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> His name is Quint. They-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What was the greater context surrounding that?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I just brought it up.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> All do respect to Quint, whoever he is-</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Quint doesn't go-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> -but this recipe has been in our family for generations and generations. All due respect to him, but I trust the family recipe more than him. You know?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yup…</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Andy, here's my idea. I think you should try the recipe a few more times before you alter it to your own taste. That sound good?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I mean, I was kinda planning on that. Changing it around until I know exactly how to avoid mistakes and all.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> But, I want you to call me whenever you make it. No listening to friends or making up how to cook it on the fly. Instead I need you to let me in on everything you do. Okay?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Okay…</p>
</div>
<p>Deep breaths. Deep, deep breaths.</p>
<p>Breathing did not help.</p>
<p>Andy tried to continue their search toward the store. They just needed an immersion blender for the soup. Nothing else.</p>
<p>They found their legs becoming stiff, which did not help Andy as their pace nearly tripled. Sweat formed on their brow. It dripped down their forehead into their eye. Whatever control Andy had of their breathing vanished as Andy found themself unable to breath.</p>
<p>Then Andy saw a unisex bathroom. Without a second thought, the door was opened then slammed behind them with nearly full force. The door was locked behind them.</p>
<p>It took nineteen paces around the small, cramped room for Andy to finally breathe again.</p>
<p>Now able to breathe, they sat on the toilet for five minutes. With a jolt, they rose to the mirror. Their eyes had gotten beet red, although no tears had formed.</p>
<p>Their thumb and index finger moved to their sinus and pinched hard. A minute passed and Andy swallowed.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc23"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc24"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Yes?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I just wanted to say something else-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What is it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I just wanted to talk a bit about the recipe - what I am thinking about it and whatnot.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Okay. What about it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It was just… being put on the spot like that. Randomly called. I wasn't really able to think what I wanted to say, you know?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Uh huh?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> But, yeah…</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What is that echo, by the way?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Nothing.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Nothing?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It's just a bathroom. I wanted some privacy.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> You wanted some- Jesus Christ, this is to yell at me, isn't it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> No-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Andy, just say what you want to say. I can't do this.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I'm not going to yell at you.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> So what is it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It's just more- what I'm thinking is that I change the recipe a bit while I learn how to cook. Avoid burning things and everything like that.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> And that just applies to cooking temp?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Mostly. I'm also getting an immersion blender-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Andy…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Because I don't like how chunky I cut the potatoes.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Andy! That's one of the biggest parts of the recipe! It's supposed to have chunks in it.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't… really agree with that. I just think-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Sorry, but I don't think you're making the same soup anymore.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It's just one thing-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> It's two. The temp, now this. Next you're going to tell me something else, and then something else. It's not the same soup anymore, just admit that.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Mom! I-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Stop. I told you that I can't argue right now.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Okay then! Sorry.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> So stop yelling at me, stop arguing with me, and be honest with me that it isn't just that.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It was just the temp thing. The blending thing's only something that I might do.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Might?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't know. Just see if I like it more.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I think you're changing your answers now; which I don't really like.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> That was always what I was going to do.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I don't like it when you lie to me, sweetie.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I just-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> You know what, Andy? I'm not doing this, today. I've barely had any energy today and I just can't argue with you right now. You can't admit when you're wrong and just keep lying and I… I just can't.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Sorry…</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Look- Andy, I love you. But that's not the same soup and it won't ever be. Unless you change it back, it's fundamentally different. And lets just leave it at that. Agreed?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I'm going to go. I have to take a shower. Love you.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Love you…</p>
</div>
<p>The call ends.</p>
<p>They let out a scream.</p>
<p>A scream they hoped wasn't heard by anyone. Really, really hoped.</p>
<p>It took another twenty-three paces to calm down. When they stopped, they looked in the mirror. The sight of their reflection overcame them with a need to cry.</p>
<p>Their best effort to suppress their tears were in vain. It couldn't be held in forever. As he realized that truth, Andy let themself cry for only one minute.</p>
<p>A paper towel was produced by the dispenser and used to soak up any water around Andy's eyes. Still, they were bloodshot. At best, Andy hoped that the cashier would think they were high.</p>
<p>It took them a lot, but they managed to convince themself to leave the bathroom.</p>
<p>There was no point in getting the immersion blender anymore. So they went to leave the store. Two employees looked at them, an act that confirmed they had heard Andy's scream.</p>
<p>Right before they left, Andy's eye was caught once more. The outfit. On a discount, no less.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>$45.99</p>
</div>
<p>And it was silly. They didn't have that much to spare - couldn't afford any split-second purchases.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Except they could. It was priced the same as an immersion blender.</p>
<p>Andy looked around for a price tag. Eventually, Andy found that it was priced at $45.99. Andy didn't know if they had that much to spare. Nor why they were even considering it.</p>
<p>But, they had decided not to buy the immersion blender. They would, in all likelihood, be a similar price. Andy toiled and considered.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Will that be all for the day?"</p>
<p>"Yep."</p>
<p>"Total should be around $45.99."</p>
<p>The cashier was handed a credit card.</p>
<p>"It's for my sister."</p>
<p>"Uh huh?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. Her birthday is coming up. Wanted to get her something nice."</p>
<p>"Well, she must be pretty lucky. It's a pretty nice dress."</p>
<p>"It really is."</p>
<p>"Would you like a receipt?"</p>
<p>"No thank you."</p>
<p>"Have a great day."</p>
<p>They knew.</p>
<p>The cashier knew.</p>
<p>Andy could see it in their eyes.</p>
<p>Outfit in hands, they left the store as fast as they could, getting in their car and screaming.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc25"><span>Roommate</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>You going to be here tonight?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>No.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Where are you going to be at?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>A party.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Okay.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Why?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Just curious.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>Even though their roommate would be gone, Andy instinctively locked themself in their bathroom.</p>
<p>They took off their jacket, then their belt, then their jeans, then their shirt, then their socks, and finally their boxers.</p>
<p>And then they were nude. Completely.</p>
<p>Immediately followed was a feeling of relief. Their clothes had been a bit tight on them.</p>
<p>Andy glanced over at the door to confirm it was locked. With the final confirmation, Andy opened the bag.</p>
<p>Three components.</p>
<p>A skirt. A shirt. And a belt.</p>
<p>It quickly dawned on them that they would need a bra and panties to comfortably complete the set.</p>
<p><em>Complete the set?!</em></p>
<p>They hardly knew why they bought the outfit in the first place. Yet, they put it on piece-by-piece-by-piece, followed by a glance in the mirror.</p>
<p>And they were beautiful.</p>
<p>Although not the perfect fit, the clothes were the most comfortable thing Andy had ever worn. It fit their shape well, the fabric was soft. Oh, it was soft.</p>
<p>Andy began to cry. Not tears of stress, exhaustion. Rather tears of emotion, elation.</p>
<p>Andy turns, and turns, and turns, and turns, and turns. They adore every angle, every aspect of their outfit.</p>
<p>It takes five minutes before Andy seems to snap out of adoration. They mechanically exit the bathroom and retreat to their bedroom, electing to lock the door before they passed out on their bed.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>Missed Call: Quint <em>8:42 P.M.</em></td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
<p>…<br/>
…<br/>
…</p>
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>Missed Call: Quint <em>8:44 P.M.</em></td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
<p>…<br/>
…<br/>
…</p>
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>Missed Call: Quint <em>8:47 P.M.</em></td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc26"><span>Quint</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>heyyyy</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>r u okay?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>anyways, was wondering if u wanted to head to my place later.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>just to watch a movie</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>let me know when u get this.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>…….<br/>
…….<br/>
…….<br/>
…….<br/>
…….<br/>
…….<br/>
…….</p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Sorry. I was sleeping.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>all good. u down to call rn?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc27"><span>Quint</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc28"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Andy?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> You good?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Huh? Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Yeah, just… Don't think I've ever known about you sleeping earlier than midnight.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I was just tired last night. Sorry about not getting your texts.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> All good. Were you doing anything last night?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> No, just tired. Y'know. School and whatnot.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Uh huh?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It's just… You know. An energy thing.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Guess you and me both gotta start getting used to it, huh?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Unfortunately.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Do you want to eat out later?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Where?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Chinese food?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Actually, maybe not today. Had some plans.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> All good.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah… I should- probably start getting my morning going.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Yeah, you probably should.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Talk later.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Stay safe.</p>
</div>
<p>Andy hung up the phone and rolled out of bed. After a stretch, they look down and realize they still adorn the same clothes as the night prior.</p>
<p>Panic ensued. They tore off the outfit, nearly ripping it while they undresssed. Now naked, Andy rushed to put on a t-shirt, boxers, pajama pants, and a matching flannel before they were ready.</p>
<p>The removed clothing was crammed into a ball and thrown on their bed.</p>
<p>They sighed, then remembered that the previous night they had planned to make potato leek soup, but never did. With a free morning, they entered the kitchen.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….<br/>
………….</p>
</div>
<p>Andy remembered the first time they ever tried to make potato leek soup.</p>
<p>The first time they followed the family recipe.</p>
<p>The first time they ever cooked.</p>
<p>This was worse.</p>
<p>A lot worse.</p>
<p>In truth, it was awful.</p>
<p>It wasn't a familiar type of awfulness, either.</p>
<p>It was, somehow, new.</p>
<p>It didn't make sense. Andy had very, very closely followed the original recipe. Even with a call to their mother, it didn't work.</p>
<p>Same temp, same cooking time, same ratios, same ingredients, and a same everything as the recipe had called for.</p>
<p>Andy tried their best to eat the soup. They had eaten every other soup before. Every other, awful soup. They only managed to get a few bites in.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc29"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc30"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah, Mom?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Just checking in to see how the soup's doing.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. It turned out pretty good.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> See? I told you that just following the recipe was all that you needed.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Have anything to say?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thanks…</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Also - have you ever thought about when you might come over to visit.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Um. Probably not until Christmas?</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> But that's so long away-</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> The distance from Colorado to Pennsylvania is also pretty far.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Yeah…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Although, to be honest, I might not be able to afford the plane ticket.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Honey…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I've been looking at them, and they're getting pretty expensive.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I can help you pay for the ticket.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> And then it's also the jet lag - that's playing into it.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Andy. You're visiting me for Christmas.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I want to! It's just I don't know if I can.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I know- that you're a bit mad about the soup. But I don't think that really affects why you should or shouldn't come over.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It isn't!</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Then why don't you want to?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I do! I do. I just… I probably will. But I don't know for certain.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> We can visit your grandmother's grave.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah, we can.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> It's been a while since we've done that, huh?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It has…</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> But I- just want to see you Andy. Get together for the holidays.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. Well, I still need to sort out the flight. But I promise that I will come.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> You don't have to. I don't want to force you.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It's alright.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> So you'll come over?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep.</p>
</div>
<p>It had to be thrown away. It just had to.</p>
<p>All of the soup they had made was inedible. It was disgusting, <em>repulsing</em> to eat.</p>
<p>So much food went to waste all in a single moment. They went to their fridge to find some food, <em>any food.</em></p>
<p>Before they could choose, they ran to the bathroom and vomitted.</p>
<p>When they finished, they wiped the vomit off of their lip and went to their bedroom. Seeing a glass of water, they emptied it.</p>
<p>And collapsed on their bed.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Tossed and turned, turned and tossed. They tossed around for twenty-seven minutes.</p>
<p>All they wanted was to be able to close their eyes and rest. But, they couldn't.</p>
<p>Andy shot up, sitting in their bed. They turned, their eyes locking almost like a magnet to the dress that laid on their bed.</p>
<p>With a single motion, they grabbed the dress. Their nausea seemingly having faded away.</p>
<p>The soft fabrics melted in their hands, each silky fiber feeling soft and beautiful as ever.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>Then,</p>
<p>without a single reason,</p>
<p>they tore the dress.</p>
</div>
<p>First in half, then in fourths, then in eigths, then in sixteenth…</p>
<p>Within moments, it was reduced to scraps and shreds. Andy made very well sure to give the other parts of the outfit attention. The belt was snapped, the sleeves ripped off the shirt before themself being halved.</p>
<p>Massive holes were ripped through the shirt until it was nothing but a rag.</p>
<p>Five minutes passed. Shreds laid in Andy's hands and around their room.</p>
<p>They breathed and picked up what scraps they could to throw any away.</p>
<p>…</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc31"><span>Quint</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>You want to eat out?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>…</p>
<p>Quint had arrived. A text on their phone informed them so.</p>
<p>Andy walked outside to meet them. When they had met, the pair walked inside of the restaurant and were seated at a booth.</p>
<p>"You doing okay?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. Just… woke up rough this morning."</p>
<p>"I feel you."</p>
<p>"Good thing I've been going to sleep earlier, huh?"</p>
<p>"Heh. Yeah."</p>
<p>A server arrived and took their drink orders. Both ordered a cup of water.</p>
<p>"That'll be out in a second."</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>The server brought spinach artichoke dip to the table.</p>
<p>"Yum."</p>
<p>"Good call with this one, Andy. Spinach artichoke dip is my favorite."</p>
<p>"Uh huh?"</p>
<p>"Yep. Behind whatever I decide to order."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"So did my suggestion work out?"</p>
<p>"It didn't taste burnt, if that's what you're asking."</p>
<p>"For some reason I feel like you didn't like it."</p>
<p>"I think it's mostly just inexperience, not the recipe."</p>
<p>"Probably."</p>
<p>"I called my mom the other day to talk to her about it. She freaked <em>the fuck</em> out."</p>
<p>"About what?"</p>
<p>"I don't even know, man. The temp? I guess."</p>
<p>"Jesus. That's rough."</p>
<p>"It's just like… A <em>really, really</em> small part of the recipe and she was freaking out about it."</p>
<p>"What happened after that?"</p>
<p>"She called me a few more times the next time I made soup."</p>
<p>"Still freaking out?"</p>
<p>"Still freaking out. Yep."</p>
<p>"Yeah. That really sucks."</p>
<p>"Like, I don't really care about it, it's just like. You really care that much about whether I simmer garlic on medium, or low heat when I'm just fucking starting to learn how to cook enough to yell at me for it."</p>
<p>"But you liked it."</p>
<p>"The one with the changed recipe, yeah. You know - I made some earlier, followed the recipe word-for-word, and it still tasted like shit."</p>
<p>"It's definitely because you just haven't tried it enough."</p>
<p>"Yeah, yeah."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"When are you leaving?"</p>
<p>"The 21st. I get back on the 28th."</p>
<p>"We've got to do something before you head off. Something before you spend a week in mundane hell FarmVille."</p>
<p>"Yeah?"</p>
<p>"We just have to. Doctor's orders."</p>
<p>"What are you thinking of?"</p>
<p>"Something small. Probably having drinks at a park or something."</p>
<p>"That sounds fun."</p>
<p>"So you're down?"</p>
<p>"Yeah."</p>
<p>"Radical."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Like your roommate?"</p>
<p>"Kinda."</p>
<p>"So that's not a yes?"</p>
<p>"I didn't say I don't."</p>
<p>"Because, my roommate is dropping out of college."</p>
<p>"Yeah?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. She found a high-paying job and didn't need her diploma."</p>
<p>"Good for her."</p>
<p>"So that means that I have an open room."</p>
<p>"Uh huh?"</p>
<p>"<em>And</em> I don't want to pay two people's rent by myself. Don't really want to move, either."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"You get what I'm saying?"</p>
<p>"I'll have to think about it."</p>
<p>"Just let me know soon."</p>
<p>"Of course."</p>
<p>…..</p>
<p>…..</p>
<p>…..</p>
<p>…..</p>
<p>…..</p>
<p>It was dark when Andy's door opened. Despite just eating, they were hungry.</p>
<p>The fridge door opened and the note they had left was gone. <em>As well as one of their energy drinks…</em></p>
<p>It was at that moment Andy decided to move out.</p>
<p>They grabbed pre-cooked, cold spaghetti noodles out of the fridge. Rather than microwave them, Andy put grated parmesan on them and moved to their room with a fork to eat them cold.</p>
<p>Not bothering to turn on a light, they sat in front of their laptop and quickly finished the pasta. A sigh left Andy's mouth as they looked at an essay they had to write.</p>
<p>400 words done.</p>
<p>3,000 words needed.</p>
<p>A clock read <em>10:52 P.M.</em></p>
<p>They had time, plenty of time. They just needed to write.</p>
<p><em>11:55 P.M.</em></p>
<p>500 words done.</p>
<p>3,000 words needed.</p>
<p>The laptop screen was left open as they moved to their bed. Curled up in a ball, facing away from the light, and they eventually saw a scrap.</p>
<p>Despite being only a thousandth of the original's glory, it had all the pull. Both eyes locked on the shred as their hand outstretched to grab it.</p>
<p>Andy let out a gentle laugh.</p>
<p>"Must've been poor quality- with how easy it was to tear…"</p>
<p>They wrapped their body around a pillow, cooling off with shred still in hand.</p>
<p>"Wouldn't have lasted if I wore it more than once…"</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><em>Wore it where?</em></p>
<p><em>In their room?</em></p>
<p><em>In public?!</em></p>
</div>
<p>No no, they wouldn't have. It made sense for them to rip it; they didn't need it. They simply didn't.</p>
<p>Yet Andy did not know why they were holding on to the last scrap of fabric so tightly.</p>
<p><em>12:21 A.M.</em></p>
<p>They went to their desk and shook their cursor around to turn on the screen. Fingers on the keys, they prepared to keep writing.</p>
<p>Until they brought out a pen and paper.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<hr/>
<p>Mystique — Lash False Lash Effect Mascara — Adds Volume & Lengthening — Cruelty & Paraben-Free</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>$3.49</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Ellanie's Prime Remain All Day Red Lipstick, Matte — Long-Lasting Color Wear — No Transfer or Bleed — Hydrating & Non-Irritating for Soft Lips</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>$5.97</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Black Tone Lip Stick for Soft Lips — Hydrating & Non-Irritating — Perfect Gift For Your Girlfriend</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>$6.49</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>PROFFESSIONAL MAKEUP EYELINER Used By Celebrities — Waterproof Pattented Formula — Black Tone</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>$18.57</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>INSTANT Cheekbone Contour Peach Perfection, .33 Oz, Non-Irritating Materials to Enhance Natural Radiance</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>$5.97</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<h2 id="toc32"><span><strong>Subtotal (5 item):</strong></span></h2>
<h4 id="toc33"><span>$40.51</span></h4>
</div>
</div>
<p>Three hours were needed to watch makeup tutorials on Youtube, or trying to figure out how to grow a wolfcut.</p>
<p>Andy checked their bank account.</p>
<p><em>$205.60</em></p>
<p>Andy sighed what they thought was a sigh of a relief. An excuse why they didn't buy it. They couldn't drop 1/5th of their money on makeup! Not at the moment.</p>
<p>And then Andy remembered how much cheaper it was to buy things in person vs online…</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>The cashier didn't believe them. There was no way. Literally no way. It was like when Andy bought the dress.</p>
<p>They claimed it to be for Christmas shopping, a gift for their mother. The cashier didn't buy it for a second. At the very least, they <em>suspected</em> it. Buying <em>all of that makeup</em> for one person who'd likely <em>already have it?!</em></p>
<p>Andy only hoped.</p>
<p>They locked the bathroom door behind them and dropped the bag on the counter. Their roommate was there, so they had to be careful.</p>
<p>Andy started with the eyeliner - which was shakily applied. It curved and swayed as dots of skin peeked out throughout both of their upper eyelids.</p>
<p>Next up - the blush. The kit came with four different colors. The initial blush that Andy applied hardly matched their skin tone. Andy grabbed a wet towel and tried to wipe off the blush. Yet, it persisted. After Andy's face was dried off, Andy tried to apply a different kind of blush. All that Andy was left with were patches of dust that clinged to their face that were either too red or too pale for their skin tone.</p>
<p>Then; the lipstick. They went with the red lipstick. The lipstick overlapped from their lips to their skin until they were left with a bumpy, shoddily applied red coating their lips.</p>
<p>The only thing that could save the day was the mascara. Their eyelashes were coated, and came off being longer. Much to Andy's shagrin, the mascara was hardly noticeable.</p>
<p>Even with it being the best application, tiny dots of black which stemmed from the mascara hit their upper eyes.</p>
<p>Andy looked into the mirror to see an object of horror. Although recognizable who was behind the mask, it was a hard sight.</p>
<p>Yet, the tiniest twinge of pride overcame them. It was their first time trying and not all that bad. But they simply couldn't avoid how bad it looked at first.</p>
<p>Andy heard their roommate walking throughout the house and sighed. They grabbed the towel and cleaned their face.</p>
<p><em>Then nothing came off.</em></p>
<p>The towel was soaked in water before being applied directly on their face. They panicked, scrubbing as hard as they could to get it off.</p>
<p><em>It was water resistant. All of it was!</em></p>
<p>They glanced into the mirror, seeing the makeup merely smudge on their face without coming off.</p>
<p>Their roommate would certainly notice if they saw. They would notice, and they would <em>judge</em>. Especially for how bad the makeup was.</p>
<p>Andy jumped into the shower and turned on the water. It was still freezing cold, and it remained freezing for the rest of the shower.</p>
<p>When they finished, they dried off their face and looked into the mirror.</p>
<p>Remnants of the makeup stayed, but they were more discrete. Much of their eyeliner and lipstick had washed off. All that remained was a hardly-noticeable shadow of the makeup they had just tried to apply.</p>
<p>As the bathroom door unlocked, they saw their roommate.</p>
<p>They were concise and told the roommate that they planned to move out soon.</p>
<p>The roommate asked why.</p>
<p>Andy told them why.</p>
<p>The roommate asked what day.</p>
<p>Andy said that they did not know.</p>
<p>The roommate confirmed that Andy was leaving the house.</p>
<p>And Andy affirmed them.</p>
<p>Then the roommate wished them well, and thanked them for letting them know.</p>
<p>And that was it. Andy walked into their room and picked up their phone.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc34"><span>Quint</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>I can move in with you if you're still looking for someone.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>cool</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
</div>
<p>Andy set down their phone. After around eleven minutes, they stood up to turn off the light before they headed back to bed.</p>
<p>They sighed.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>🔍︎ Search the web</td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
<p>…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..</p>
<blockquote>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<td>🔍︎ Common signs of gender dysphoria?</td>
</tr>
</table>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>The car trunk opened and a six-pack of beer was taken from it. The beer is handed to Quint, who shoves the six-pack into their backpack.</p>
<p>The pair follow a trail into the woods just into the Rockies.</p>
<p>After roughly seventeen minutes, the pair arrived at a clearing slightly off-trail. Quint took out a blanket to place on the grass while Andy kicked off their shoes and felt the blades of grass beneath their toes.</p>
<p>Two bottles of beer were popped.</p>
<p>"Feels like forever since we've hung out, huh?"</p>
<p>"It's been a while."</p>
<p>"Especially since we've gone out here."</p>
<p>"We should come out here more. It's really pretty."</p>
<p>"In a few weeks?"</p>
<p>"Sure."</p>
<p>"Alright."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Thank you for offering me the apartment."</p>
<p>"You're good."</p>
<p>"I did not vibe well with my roommate, to be honest."</p>
<p>"I'll miss mine. But, we didn't really talk."</p>
<p>"My roommate stole an energy drink after I specifically confronted them to not."</p>
<p>"Geez."</p>
<p>"I know, right?"</p>
<p>Andy grabbed a second bottle of beer.</p>
<p>"Have you told your mom yet?"</p>
<p>"Hell no?"</p>
<p>"Fair enough."</p>
<p>The duo leaned back in near-unison to see the stars. While Andy had moved to lay on the blanket, Quint decided to lay on the grass, at least briefly.</p>
<p>The pair stared into the stars for thirty-one minutes all while sipping their beers.</p>
<p>At a point during the night, Andy had grabbed a third beer. By the time they were back in the car, the bottle was empty. The bottle Quint had nursed was thrown away in a trash can they found, still half-full.</p>
<p>As the pair entered the car, Quint turned on a light to search it.</p>
<p>"What are you looking for?"</p>
<p>"My keys."</p>
<p>"You know- you… you probably shouldn't just leave those in the car…"</p>
<p>"Heh. Probably."</p>
<p>The search effort is joined by Andy. After a minute, the pair briefly lock eyes.</p>
<p>"Andy."</p>
<p>"Yeah?"</p>
<p>"Are you wearing mascara?"</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"No, no."</p>
<p>"Okay."</p>
<p>Quint discovered the key, put it in the ignition, then drove away.</p>
<p>A chuckle left Andy's lips and they closed their eyes, leaning against their seat and nearly falling asleep.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>A key slid into the door, and it was opened.</p>
<p>"Let's get you into bed."</p>
<p>They practically had to drag Andy to their room where they opened a door, turned on a light, and eased Andy into bed. They helped Andy remove their shoes and tuck themselves under the sheets.</p>
<p>"I'm going to hang out here a minute- while I wait for a cab."</p>
<p>"No, no- no… Don't. You can just- just take my car and give it to me tomorrow."</p>
<p>"You're sure?"</p>
<p>"Yeah, yeah. Yeah… Just have a good night."</p>
<p>"Sleep tight."</p>
<p>The keys to Andy's car slides into Quint's pocket.</p>
<p>Right as they reached the door, they turned to shut off the light.</p>
<p>Then something caught their eye.</p>
<p><em>Blush,</em><br/>
<em>Eyeliner,</em><br/>
<em>Red Lipstick,</em><br/>
<em>Black Lipstick,</em><br/>
<em>Mascara,</em><br/>
<em>and Nail Polish.</em></p>
<p>All neatly packed into the corner.</p>
<p>They picked up one of the nail polish bottles, at which point they confirmed that it was the exact same as they had given to Andy.</p>
<p>The cap of the lipstick popped off, and it was clearly used. Smeared in only a way that application, rough application, could do.</p>
<p>They approached Andy to look at their eyes and confirm that they were wearing mascara. With the confirmation, Quint left the room while they shut off the light behind them.</p>
<p>"Best of dreams."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Two potatoes. Both were washed as they had decided to make a scaled-down version of the recipe for lunch, and likely dinner/breakfast.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc35"><span>Quint</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc36"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Hey. You feeling good?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. Why?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Just wondering. You passed out pretty quickly last night. Wanted to make sure you weren't hungover or anything.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thanks. But, I'm okay.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Good, good. What are you doing right now?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Cooking.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Ah.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> What are you up to?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Just kinda bored.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Mhm?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Have you thought about what you're going to give your mom for Christmas?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I'm getting her a camera so that she can see some of the wildlife. She's been asking for that for a while.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Anything else?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> A few stocking stuffers.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Like?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Socks. And maybe a candle or two, although I'd probably buy those in Pennsylvania.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> And that's it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> What about other friends? What other gifts have you gotten them?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Why are you asking about that?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Still have a few friends I need to get stuff for, but I'm out of ideas.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Ah.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Well?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Mostly just alcohol or clothes. I got my sister a stereo. And I bought a necklace I think my Aunt will like.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I guess I can't ask what you're getting me.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Who says I'm getting you anything?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> You're right! I didn't think of that.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> But - your thing still hasn't arrived yet. It probably won't until after I'm gone.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Ah.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> But yeah. Hope that helps.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> By the way - I'm driving over to your house to give back your car.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Shit, yeah. Thanks. Forgot about that.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Really?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> No.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Hah.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thanks.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I'll be there in about five.</p>
</div>
<p>First chopped, then diced,then sliced. All of the ingredients were prepared.</p>
<p>Then came a force which knocked at their door.</p>
<p>"Hey.."</p>
<p>"Hey. Want to come in and get a drink?"</p>
<p>"I'll pass."</p>
<p>"All cool."</p>
<p>"Just need you to drive me back."</p>
<p>"Of course."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Your car was low on gas so I filled it on the way over."</p>
<p>"…"</p>
<p>"I filled it with regular."</p>
<p>"Don't do that. I mean- fill my tank. I can do it myself."</p>
<p>"I couldn't have gotten there regardless. Might as well of filled it."</p>
<p>"I'll repay you for it when I get back."</p>
<p>"Don't worry about it."</p>
<p>They park in front of Quint's apartment.</p>
<p>"Last night - when I was helping you get into your room, I remember how organized some of it was."</p>
<p>"Yeah?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. Pretty tidy."</p>
<p>"I don't… Really think so, but okay."</p>
<p>"Then I saw something; in the corner on your desk. I looked at it. It was makeup. Lipstick, mascara, eyeliner. All of that."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"And the lipstick was used."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Andy?"</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Are you trans-"</p>
<p>"Why the fuck were you looking through my shit?"</p>
<p>"I was-"</p>
<p>"<em>No,</em> no. Why the fuck did you think it was okay to look through my stuff?"</p>
<p>"I assumed that they were Christmas presents and looked at them."</p>
<p>"By opening them?!"</p>
<p>"Andy-"</p>
<p>"Get the fuck out of my car."</p>
<p>"Were those for you?"</p>
<p>"No, matter of fact. Those were for my Aunt. Thanks for opening them, by the way!"</p>
<p>"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just saw you wearing mascara last night and I thought-"</p>
<p>"Jesus fucking Christ. I was not fucking wearing mascara."</p>
<p>"Yes you were! I saw you wearing it."</p>
<p>"I told you to get out of my car."</p>
<p>In a rush, Quint unbuckled their seatbelt and left the car.</p>
<p>"Andy-"</p>
<p>"Close the door."</p>
<p>"You can tell me-"</p>
<p>"I am not telling you shit that isn't true about me."</p>
<p>"I won't judge you for it."</p>
<p>"Really? Really?! Great! That's great. Close the fucking door.</p>
<p>The door is shut and Andy sped away.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>They let out a scream, a pained scream. Their roommate didn't bother to check in on them.</p>
<p>In the kitchen, Andy tried to continue.</p>
<p>They heated up their Dutch oven and threw in the butter, which quickly turned to a brownish-black. The leeks varied, but all smoked and charred by the end. <em>In exactly four minutes under heat.</em></p>
<p>Then they thought.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><strong>What did Quint know? Really.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Was Quint in the wrong? Hell, <em>of course they were.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Breaking into Andy's room like that… And then looking through their stuff?</strong></p>
</div>
<p>At least the potatoes did not burn. Although Andy couldn't claim them to be cooked.</p>
<p>When the stock was added, it boiled over.</p>
<p>When Andy tried to check the potatoes with a fork, the tongs snapped off.</p>
<p>Andy turned off the burner and ran to the restroom. They pulled on the nozzle and waited for it to heat. After six minutes, they stepped in.</p>
<p><em>And the water was freezing cold.</em></p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc37"><span>Boarding Pass</span></h3>
<hr/></div>
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<th>Flight</th>
<th>Date</th>
<th>Origin</th>
<th>Destination</th>
<th>Seat</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>211</td>
<td>21/DEC/2023</td>
<td>Denver, CO</td>
<td>Philladelphia, PA</td>
<td>30C</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><strong>Departure:</strong> 07:30</p>
<p><strong>Passenger Name:</strong> Andy Clarke</p>
</div>
<p>"Oh, Andy! Come on in. The door is unlocked."</p>
<p>They opened the door.</p>
<p>"Could you possibly help me up from my chair?"</p>
<p>"Of course."</p>
<p>Their mother was lifted from the chair. She gave Andy a hug.</p>
<p>"How have you been? How was the flight?"</p>
<p>"Good, good. It was all good."</p>
<p>"I can whip up a soup if you'd like."</p>
<p>"That'd be great."</p>
<p>"A little taste of home. Well, guess you are at home. Hah!"</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<h4 id="toc38"><span>Potato Leek Soup</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<h3 id="toc39"><span>Ingredients:</span></h3>
<ul>
<li>2 Large Leeks</li>
<li>2 Cloves of Garlic</li>
<li>6 Large Potatos</li>
<li>2 Tbsp Salted Butter</li>
<li>2 Teaspoons of Salt</li>
<li>1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper</li>
<li>1 Cup of Cream</li>
<li>6 Cups of Chicken Broth/Stock</li>
<li>1 Sprig of Thyme</li>
<li>2 Bay Leaves</li>
<li>1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder</li>
</ul>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc40"><span>Preparation:</span></h3>
<p>Cut your leeks at the root end and halfway up the greens and chop each leek in half. Thoroughly wash between each and every layer of the leeks, as they will have plenty of dirt trapped within. Chop your leeks. Peel both cloves of garlic and crush.</p>
<p>Peel, then dice your potatos and let them sit in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes.</p>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc41"><span>Cooking</span></h3>
<p>In a Dutch oven, throw in your butter and let melt at high heat. Then, add crushed cloves of garlic and your chopped leeks and let simmer for approximately 3 minutes at medium heat. Add in your potatos and let simmer for a further minute. Then add in your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in all of your chicken broth/stock. Increase the temp to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and add your thyme and bay leaves. Let simmer for 15 minutes.</p>
<p>After 15 minutes, try to pierce the potatoes with a fork. If you can pierce them with no resistance, turn off the heat. Fish out the bay leaves, and mash the soup. After fully mashed, add the whole cup of cream to the soup and mix.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>- Clarke Family Recipe</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>All the same…</p>
<p>The potato leek soup tasted the same. It didn't taste like how Andy remembered it. They at the very least felt a twinge of validation, but still were dismayed.</p>
<p>Dismayed at how they could hate their favorite dish.</p>
<p>They tried to finish the soup. They tried very, very hard. But they couldn't finish it. Despite all of their efforts, it was too much.</p>
<p>Andy tried to drink water to cleanse their stomach, which only caused it to ache further.</p>
<p>"Do you like it?"</p>
<p>"Yep. Same as ever."</p>
<p>"We've got to teach you how to make it - while you're here."</p>
<p>"Sure. Sometime."</p>
<p>Their mother stands and leaves the room.</p>
<p>"Mom?"</p>
<p>She returns with a wrapped, rectangular box.</p>
<p>"Remember when I used to let you open one present early every Christmas? Well, I picked out this one for you!"</p>
<p>"Heh. Thanks."</p>
<p>They unwrapped the present. Inside sat a framed photograph of Andy.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><em>Their hair was shorter.</em><br/>
<em>They were still trying to grow some sort of goatee.</em><br/>
<em>They had very visible muscles, remembering how much they used to work out.</em></p>
</div>
<p>"It was taken a few weeks before graduation."</p>
<p>They nodded.</p>
<p>"Do you like it?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. Of course. Thank you."</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc42"><span>Aunt Shelley</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc43"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Merry Christmas!</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Merry Christmas.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Sorry for how late it is. Was celebrating with the wife and kids and everything.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> How are they all hanging up?</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> She's doing great. Cole was talking the other day about how they hate their birthday being so close to Christmas.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Hah.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> You have a good day?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. Mostly just spend it with Mom.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Ah. You're in Dallaston right now?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Nice. You get anything you wanted?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Didn't really ask for much.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> What did you get?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> A book and a picture of me when I just about graduated high school.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Neat.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah…</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Is it just you and your mom there?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep. I can go downstairs to put her on if you-</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> That's okay.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> What about college? How's this year gone so far.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> It's been going good. I only got a <em>92.4%</em> on one of my tests the other day.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Slacking behind, I see.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I'll have to drop out at that rate.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> What about your apartment? How's that working out?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Eh.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Do you like it?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I mean - I like it. Just I don't really like my roommate.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Ah.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> But I did start talking with another one of my friends about moving in with them.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Who are they?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> A person named Quint. You wouldn't know them.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> And you think you two'd be good roommates.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> To be completely honest, I don't know if it's still going to happen.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Oh? Why?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Me and Quint- we got in a bit of an argument before. A bad argument, actually.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> What happened.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> They- One night, I was drunk. Then they drove me home and helped me get in bed while I was passing out. When I did pass out, they looked through some of my stuff. When I found out about it, I got pissed off and yelled at them.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Oh.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> And now they've been trying to call me and text me, but I honestly have no idea how I'll respond to it.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> What were they looking through?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Just stuff on my desk. I guess they thought it might be a gift? Or something?</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> I mean, it doesn't even matter. They shouldn't have been looking through your stuff without your approval.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah, I'm just- kinda regretting how I lashed out at them. You know?</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> In all honesty, I don't see why you wouldn't have any right to.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Uh huh?</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> I mean- I don't know the specifics. But, if I may, I just want to say that you shouldn't beat yourself up over it.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I just don't feel good about ghosting them.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Fair enough.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't know if I'm going to do anything until I head back.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thanks for the call, though.</p>
<p><strong>Shelley:</strong> Merry Christmas!</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Happy holidays.</p>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>Tuesday.</p>
<p>December 26th, 2023.</p>
<p>10:53 P.M.</p>
</div>
<p>They stared at the alarm and watched as the seconds, then minutes passed. It had been thirty minutes since Andy had tried to start falling asleep. Their plane was set to leave next morning and they wanted any small amount of sleep.</p>
<p>But their curtain was broken, as it had always been. Light shone directly on their face.</p>
<p>Andy wondered what awaited them when they returned. After all, Quint was convinced of something that flat out wasn't true. Something that Andy was not.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Although the makeup was suspicious. Obviously Quint shouldn't of looked, but Andy…</p>
<p>…stood up and tried to yank the curtain close. Doing so saw barely anything change as moonlight still flooded the room.</p>
<p>They crawled back into bed then covered themself in sheets.</p>
<p><em>What about their mother?</em> She had been in bad health for such a long time, Andy considered. They knew she wouldn't be around forever. If Andy ever wanted to tell her something that they'd regret not letting her know, they'd have to say it soon.</p>
<p>Fortunately, <em>there was absolutely nothing that Andy needed to say.</em></p>
<p>Aside from them starting to wear nail polish. Although they wouldn't really feel bad over not telling them that.</p>
<p><em>But what about the mascara? They'd been wearing that almost every day before they left.</em></p>
<p>And the <em>lipstick.</em></p>
<p>And the <em>blush.</em></p>
<p>And the <em>eyeliner.</em></p>
<p>But they reasoned that they had only tried those things once and immediately washed them off.</p>
<p><em>Only because their roommate was there. What if they were alone? Would they still have washed it off so quickly?</em></p>
<p>Even then, they were all just minor things to Andy. Stylistic things that weren't exactly major secrets…</p>
<p>But-</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc44"><span><span style="color: cyan">What</span> <span style="color: pink">if</span> <span style="color: silver">Quint</span> <span style="color: pink">was</span> <span style="color: cyan">right?</span></span></h4>
</div>
<p>…</p>
<p>They stormed out of their bed to the curtain and grabbed both sides of it. Andy slammed together both curtains with such forced that the curtain rod was knocked off of the wall. It fell to the ground.</p>
<p>They sighed and leaned to pick up the curtain. Before they put it back, Andy stared out the window.</p>
<p>And then they opened it.</p>
<p>They inhaled the cool, crisp air as it rushed past them. It wasn't too cold for a winter's night. They looked down at a field just a bit below them.</p>
<p>With a second thought, Andy adorned a jacket and moved downstairs.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>They walked through the field. Snow crunched under each footstep. It took effort to avoid the tangled amalgamation of roots and dead plants while making their way through the field.</p>
<p>But, they made it. A small clearing where they begun to breathe what felt like the freshest air they had in years. Only two sounds were heard, Andy's breaths and the gentle breeze of the wind.</p>
<p>They looked up into the sky. Fifty-seven stars littered it. A burning fire that shone all the way across the universe just so Andy could glimpse it.</p>
<p>They sat on the ground. Their coat was waterproof, allowing them to have some protection.</p>
<p>Then they zoned out and enjoyed the cosmos. When they returned, they had no idea how much time they had lost.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>They were terrified. Terrified of the repercussions of it, of what it would mean if it were true.</p>
<p>Their whole life - everything they have had up until a few months prior, wasn't what they were.</p>
<p>And what if they did tell their mother? What if they were disowned? What if their mother spent the last few months of her life hating her-</p>
<p>-hating them.</p>
<p>They shiverred. It was cold. They knew it was time for them to go back.</p>
<p>They stood, feeling that snow had gotten through their coat. Somehow.</p>
<p>At the icy porch, Andy took careful steps to avoid slipping. Then, before entering the house, they turned back to the field. All fifty-seven stairs were still beautiful in the night sky.</p>
<p>They sat at the porch.</p>
<p>Then, they thought. Thought for a long while. About Aunt Shelley and how she was cut off by her- their mother.</p>
<p>Well, it wasn't <em>really</em> being cut off. They didn't meet, didn't talk that much. But they still talked occasionally. Still were friendly. Just… strained.</p>
<p>And Andy didn't want that. They really, really did not want that. Despite everything, despite all of the stress, Andy did not want to lose their mother early. They really didn't.</p>
<p>They stood and entered the house, letting the warmth inside melt away any cool temperatures they had been in.</p>
<p>And the house was just as cold.</p>
<p>Up the stairs they went, entering their room and seeing their curtain-less window.</p>
<p>They stopped in front of the window, staring out of it once more.</p>
<p>Then they opened the window.</p>
<p>Andy didn't know where to start. They were afraid. If it wasn't real, it would have already fallen apart. At any point over the months where Andy tried to prevent it.</p>
<p>Even then, they tried to rationalize their fear. That it wouldn't be all too bad. But, they knew it would be hard going forward. They knew that there was a good chance they'd be beaten down at any turn. They knew that throughout the rest of their life, they'd fight an uphill battle that they could likely never win.</p>
<p>And Andy accepted that. They would have to be ready to face it one day. Mayble not day one, but they had to get ready to face what would happen if such a truth were ever revealed.</p>
<p>She closed the window, left the curtain open, and walked to bed.</p>
<p>Tucked into the sheets, she let her eyes close, and drifted off to sleep.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<table class="wiki-content-table">
<tr>
<th>Flight</th>
<th>Date</th>
<th>Origin</th>
<th>Destination</th>
<th>Seat</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>202</td>
<td>27/DEC/2023</td>
<td>Pittsburgh, PA</td>
<td>Denver, CO</td>
<td>3C</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><strong>Departure:</strong> 06:30</p>
<p><strong>Passenger Name:</strong> Andy Clarke</p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>December 31,<br/>
2023</p>
<p>23:36</p>
<hr/></div>
<p>She stared into the mirror. She had been staring into it for a few minutes. It dawned on Andy's mind that she hadn't shaved ever since she had gotten back from Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>Whatever little hair she had on her head, she pulled back and tucked behind her ears. Shaving cream lathered her face and she grabbed a razor, using it with precision to cut every single strand of hair off of her face.</p>
<p><em>Yet she hated how gritty her face felt as she rubbed her hands against it.</em></p>
<p>So she shaved it again.</p>
<p>And a third time.</p>
<p>Until it felt /just a little bit// smoother.</p>
<p>And that was all she felt she could do. When she moved to clean up, she saw her arms.</p>
<p>Her hairy, horrendous arms.</p>
<p>The sleeves on her arms were pulled up until they resembled a tank top. She slathered her left arm with shaving cream, then pressed her razor against it.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>She was done. Both arms. Where they were hairy and irritating, now they felt smooth. She had to put toilet paper on the spots of her arms where she nicked herself</p>
<p>The couch cushioned her fall as she leaned back against it. Her roommate had gone to party, as most people likely had. But she decided to stay home.</p>
<p>Her laptop opened, and she began to play <em>The Thing</em>.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<p>December 31,<br/>
2023</p>
<p>23:55</p>
<hr/></div>
<p>Andy took out her phone. She saw 53 missed calls from Quint, and nearly 83 missed texts.</p>
<p>A sigh left their mouth, looking at the clock. She paused the movie, and called Quint.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc45"><span>Quint</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc46"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Andy?</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Andy?!</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Andy, are you there?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Oh my god. Thank god. Okay. Are you okay?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> How- I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I'm really sorry about looking through your- the makeup that was on your desk. I shouldn't- I should have just left after I dropped you off, you know.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I just, guess that I saw my nail polish and jumped to conclusions. I don't think- I didn't think. I wasn't thinking about it. You know?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I'm really, really sorry.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> You are?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Yeah. I've been thinking about it; what I could have done. Ever since.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Have you been in Pennsylvania this whole time?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I got back a few days ago.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Have you seen my calls?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I'm sorry.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> No- it's okay. I get it.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Uh huh?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I've just been worried.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Where are you right now?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> At my apartment. Alone. Didn't really feel like partying.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. Same here.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Look, what I said- What I thought… I don't know what I'm trying to say right now. I guess I put together the nail polish and the mascara; thought that it was for you. That there was some part of you that you were hiding. And I wanted to support you if you were hiding it. I just didn't think it through.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> So I'm sorry.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I really am.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I understand if you don't forgive this - if you don't want to move in anymore.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I just want to apologize for it.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I was also thinking about it. I thought about it a lot up until I left.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I also called my Aunt for the first time in a while during Christmas. It was nice. I got to chat with her, catch up with her.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I think that was the second calmest moment of my trip. There was this night that was beautiful, and I mean really pretty. It wasn't that cold, the clouds were gone, and it was quiet. I guess the best part about Appalachia is how there aren't many lights around there.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I remember stargazing for a while that night. Wasn't that what we did? The night before I went? Got drunk and stared at the sky.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> And then I just thought.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Nearly dozed off to sleep, too.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> You there?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't think I'm a man. I don't think it is right for me to be a man anymore.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Do you think you're trans? Or non-binary?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't know. I would feel better - or at least think I would feel better - if I was a woman. But I don't think I'll ever come close to that, truly. So I don't know what I am realistically going to be, or are realistically.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I'm sorry for lashing out. I still- stand by what I said. Well, some of it. I'm still mad that you looked at my stuff when I was drunk. But, I think that I lashed out for the wrong reason. I was just… angry, I guess? At the idea that I was trans.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I'm sorry.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah. I'm still willing to move in, if you are.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Of course I am.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Really?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Yep.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thank you. It means the world to me.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> And you moving in with me, too.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Fireworks are going to go off soon.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Yeah.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> What do you want me to call you?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> What?</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Like, your name. Your pronouns. What do you want me to call you?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> You know-</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't think that I've thought about it.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> I can use gender-neutral stuff, for now. If you would like.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I wouldn't mind being called she/her, at least for now.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Are you sure?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yep.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Okay.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thank you.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Of course.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I'm going to hang up.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Alright.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Talk soon. Bye.</p>
<p><strong>Quint:</strong> Bye.</p>
</div>
<p>A minute passed.</p>
<p>Then, the fireworks went off. Andy stood up, looking around to make sure all of her windows were closed. She hated the smell of smoke. Andy lit a candle before returning to her couch.</p>
<p>Andy pressed space, and resumed her movie.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<p>January 1,<br/>
2024</p>
<p>00:02 A.M.</p>
<hr/></div>
<p>………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..<br/>
………..</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<p>Febuary 25,<br/>
2024</p>
<p>11:42 A.M.</p>
<hr/></div>
<p>The car parked on the curb, only a few dozen feet away from Quint's apartment.</p>
<p>The weather app had told her that it would be foggy in the morning. Bright beams of sunshine shone into her car directly on her face, taunting her.</p>
<p>From her backpack, Andy produced a handmirror. Checking her makeup, it dawned on her that whatever little makeup she had on was rushed and shoddy.</p>
<p>Much like before, her lipstick veered away from the track of her lips, her eyeliner was shaky, and she could easily point out how different the blush was to her skin color. Hell, even her nails seemed off. She felt them, noticing bumps and uneven application.</p>
<p>Two whole hours had been spent to apply the makeup just to make it look presentable. Not good, not decent, but presentable!</p>
<p>All so she could make a thirty-one-second walk to Quint's house and not be noticed.</p>
<p>It was in vain, a stupid idea. She slammed her head back against her seat.</p>
<p>The longer she stayed in the car the more likely it would be for more people to notice.</p>
<p>She left and practically ran to Quint's door.</p>
<p>Her clothes didn't match, either. Black cargo pants, a white long-sleeved undershirt, and a green branded t-shirt. They didn't match with her makeup. Anybody would instantly think that she was a boy pretending to be-</p>
<p>She arrived at the door. Time slowed, every movement became heavy. Every breath she took was forced. A knock barely left her hand before she froze, feeling minutes pass.</p>
<p>Then the door opened.</p>
<p>Quing lunged at Andy with a hug.</p>
<p>"Hey Andy! How was the trip."</p>
<p>Through the pressure on her lungs, she spoke.</p>
<p>"Good."</p>
<p>"I like your makeup."</p>
<p>All of the pressure, all at once, faded.</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>"How much do you have to unpack?"</p>
<p>"A bit."</p>
<p>"Well, let's go, then."</p>
<p>The duo spent three hours to empty Andy's car and make trips to Andy's old apartment.</p>
<p>It took two trips back to Andy's apartment to get everything.</p>
<p>The last item the pair got was a Dutch oven. Andy had contemplated not bringing it, to just leave it behind. But they knew they had to keep it.</p>
<p>She left the car and slowly carried the Dutch oven. She had to keep a slower pace to avoid dropping it. After two minutes, she arrived at her apartment door and brought the Dutch oven in with her.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Andy awoke. She turned over, and grabbed her phone. She checked the time.</p>
<p><em>April 7, 4:37 A.M.</em></p>
<p>She leaned back against her pillow. Her alarm wasn't supposed to go off until eight. Andy closed her eyes, trying to go back to sleep. After eleven minutes, she opened her eyes.</p>
<p>Andy rolled out of her bed. She stretched, letting out a yawn as she grabbed a glass on her nightstand. She drank out of it, quickly finding it empty. Andy began to hobble to the kitchen.</p>
<p>Andy took out her ice tray. She popped out three ice cubes, plopping them in the glass. She then went to the sink and filled her cup with tap water.</p>
<p>Andy took out her phone.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc47"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>I got a new apartment</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>with quint</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>When was this?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>yesterday</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Why didn't you tell me about this?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>it was about the same as my current rent. a bit less, actually</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Okay. But why didn't you let me know?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>i didnt think that it changed much</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Honey… You should have let me help you…</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>with?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Scouting for houses?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>we didnt really do that. quint's roommate already lived in the house for a while before now. their roommate just recently dropped out</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Well you could have called to let me help you move in. Have you decorated yet?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>No.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Aw.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>And you're saying that you would have come over?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Maybe. I mean, I've wanted to visit for a while. You know?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>uh huh?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Send me pictures of the house.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>…<br/>
…<br/>
…</p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Honey…</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>What?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>That house is not a good house. I can tell you that.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Why?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>It looks plain, empty. Even dull.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Me and Quint are going to work on decorating soon.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>The paint is a weird color, too. I'm also not sure that I like how the counter looks.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>seriously?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>You should have asked me first before moving. Honestly, I think your old place was a better apartment.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>and I also hated my roommate.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Well, if you wanted to move in with Quint so much, you both should have found someplace else.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>no.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>What?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>me and Quint both like this house. we're going to stay in it.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Honey…</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>literally not a cent of your money is going toward paying my rent. so I don't think you really have any ground to comment on what house I choose to rent.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>The decision is always up to you, yes. I'm just saying that as your mother I know things about living that make big impacts.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>such as a house feeling empty?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Yes, actually. It contributes to how other people percieve you.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>i'm not doing this.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Darling…</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>it is my house, and I can live wherever the fuck I want.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>Dozens of texts followed. All from her mom, all angry. Some telling her off for having cussed. Some for being ungrateful. Some for not talking to her anymore. Some saying that Andy hated her. Some which claimed that Andy never wanted to visit.</p>
<p>And then there was one question to top it all off.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc48"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<p>Do you even really love me?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>She didn't respond to it. She had no idea how to.</p>
<p>At least her mother cooled down after she sent it, which meant it was the last message in their conversation.</p>
<p>So it lingered.</p>
<p>…..<br/>
….<br/>
…<br/>
..<br/>
.</p>
<p>Two hands wrapped around Andy in a hug. A head rested on her right shoulder. She felt a form lean against her back.</p>
<p>"It's early for you to be up."</p>
<p>Whispered a groggy, half-asleep voice.</p>
<p>"Yeah."</p>
<p>"Mm. You should get back to bed."</p>
<p>"Couldn't sleep."</p>
<p>"Since we went to bed?"</p>
<p>"No. Just for a half-hour."</p>
<p>"Ah."</p>
<p>"I'll try to get back to bed soon."</p>
<p>"You should."</p>
<p>"And you should get ready for work."</p>
<p>"Yeah…"</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"I could tuck back in with you. The alarm isn't going off for another hour."</p>
<p>"If you really insist-"</p>
<p>The duo walks back to their bed.</p>
<p>…</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<p><em><strong>I got called into work.</strong></em><br/>
<em><strong>I'll be back around midnight. It's a closing shift.</strong></em></p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<hr/>
<p>- <em>Quint</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Andy picked up a pill bottle.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2 id="toc49"><span>SPIRONOLACTONE</span></h2>
<h2 id="toc50"><span>TABLETS, USP</span></h2>
</div>
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<p>25 mg</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>30 Tablets<br/>
Taken Daily<br/>
Rx Only</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Each film coated tablet contains 25 mn of spironolactone, USP.</p>
<p><strong>Usual Dosage:</strong> (See package)</p>
<p>Store at 20° - 25° C<br/>
[See USP controlled room temperature]</p>
<p><span style="font-size:125%;"><strong>STORE AWAY FROM LIGHT</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>KEEP THIS, AND ALL OTHER, DRUGS AWAY FROM ALL CHILDREN AT ALL MOMENTS</strong></p>
</div>
<p>Andy took a pill. She placed it in her mouth and downed it with a glass of water.</p>
<p>As she stared out of her kitchen window. She stretched out her hand, moving aside the vines of all three of her Golden Pothos plants.</p>
<p>The sun began to set. An orange hue sprayed with magenta was overtaking the Rocky Mountain skyline. Andy wanted to drive out to see it. She took out her phone to text Quint. She wanted to ask them if they wanted to drive into the mountains.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc51"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<blockquote>
<p>Have you even loved me at all over the past few years?</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>It lingered. Even as Andy tried to look away from it.</p>
<p>All of the days where she ignored the text, pushing it to the delves of the deepest reaches of her minds; all of them came back at once. She felt an urge, an insistence to respond.</p>
<p>And so Andy called her mother.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<p><em><strong>I'm at the reservoir.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>You know the spot. I'll be there for a few hours.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>I took a taxi.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>If you want, feel free to join me. I don't mind. I have rum with me.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Feel free to take our car.</strong></em></p>
<hr/>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>- <em>Andy</em></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>They entered the clearing and spotted a form laying on the ground. With a second to take a deep breath, they approached the form and stood over it.</p>
<p>"Quint! My man. How's it going?"</p>
<p>"Going good."</p>
<p>They sit next to Andy.</p>
<p>"Bring a towel?"</p>
<p>"Nope! Forgot one."</p>
<p>Andy gives a bottle to Quint.</p>
<p>"What's this?"</p>
<p>"Rum. Take it."</p>
<p>"Thanks."</p>
<p>"I've been nursing my own for a while. There is a third bottle if either of us finish ours early."</p>
<p>"I see."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"Are you okay?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. Why?"</p>
<p>"I don't know. Just stargazing in the middle of the night at three A.M. when you have work the next day."</p>
<p>"It's a closing shift. I can stay up late."</p>
<p>"Well have the stars been good tonight?"</p>
<p>"Nope. Been cloudy ever since I got here."</p>
<p>"…"</p>
<p>"What?"</p>
<p>"Aren't you cold?"</p>
<p>"It isn't winter anymore. I mean, we can head back if you want to. That'd be fine."</p>
<p>"No, it's fine."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"How was work?"</p>
<p>"Hectic."</p>
<p>"That sucks."</p>
<p>"Some festival was going on and two guys called out sick. So they called me in to close for both of them."</p>
<p>"Ouch."</p>
<p>"So I didn't get out until around two A.M. - also sorry I didn't see your note earlier."</p>
<p>"It's good."</p>
<p>"How long have you been here?"</p>
<p>"Since six."</p>
<p>"Jesus Christ, Andy."</p>
<p>"What?"</p>
<p>"We need to get you home. You've been here seven hours."</p>
<p>"In a bit."</p>
<p>"How long is a bit?"</p>
<p>"I want to see the sun rise. Maybe in an hour? If that is fine with you."</p>
<p>"Of course it is."</p>
<p>"Thank you."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"What's on your mind? Seriously."</p>
<p>"Nothing."</p>
<p>"Is it the androgen blockers?"</p>
<p>"No, well. Sorta."</p>
<p>"What is it?"</p>
<p>"I called my mother the other day. After me and her argued over text."</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p>…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..<br/>
…..</p>
</div>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4 id="toc52"><span>Mom</span></h4>
<h5 id="toc53"><span>Phone Call Record</span></h5>
<hr/></div>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> How long have you thought that?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> A few months.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Have you told anyone?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Just Quint so far. And now, you.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Not your Aunt Shelley?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> No.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Jesus. Andy- why didn't you tell me?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I don't know.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> You don't know?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I just-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> So you're telling me that you didn't think to approach your mother about this?!</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Mom, I-</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> No, I mean. That clearly shows that you didn't think this through that well.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Oh my god…</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> We need to talk this over a bit. You know, make sure that you've figured it out-</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> No.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> What did you say to me?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I'm saying, no.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> No?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I've already thought this through. I've figured it out since December - nearly half a year now. I was thinking about it for a long time before that. It isn't getting that much more thought through.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> You figured it out in December?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yeah.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Did you figure it out before or after you visited?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> During.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> And you didn't think to even tell me-</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I <em>did</em> think to tell you. I thought about it a lot. I was <em>scared</em> to tell you. I've been scared of it ever since.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> Oh, sweetie…</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Look- I didn't want any arguments. I didn't want to yell at each other. I didn't want to bring you on this around the holidays. This is right for me. It will make me happier.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> So- so you're saying that you lied to me? For all of these months? Because what?! You don't trust me?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> I didn't want to lose ties to you like Aunt Shelley did.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> …</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> …</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> You're sure it will make you happy?</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Yes.</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I'm not entirely too sure I understand it, but-</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> …</p>
<p><strong>Susan:</strong> I guess you know what you're doing with it.</p>
<p><strong>Andy:</strong> Thank you.</p>
</div>
<p>A laugh left Andy's lips.</p>
<p>"You know- I honestly didn't expect her to react how she did."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"I thought it would go really, really bad. Disowning, all that stuff."</p>
<p>"But… It went well?"</p>
<p>"Yeah."</p>
<p>Quint hugs Andy.</p>
<p>"Are you okay? Be honest with me."</p>
<p>"I am, I am."</p>
<p>"You're sure?"</p>
<p>"I just-"</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"I just needed a place to clear my head."</p>
<p>"Of course."</p>
<p>"I was so worried about how bad she'd react that I don't really know what to do now."</p>
<p>"You should lay down. Clear your head, look in the sky some more. There is time to figure that out later."</p>
<p>"When?"</p>
<p>"What?"</p>
<p>"When is that time?"</p>
<p>"I don't know."</p>
<p>"That's why I was thinking. Just thinking about how much my life is going to fucking suck now."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"And I only mean that as a half-joke, too!"</p>
<p>"Andy…"</p>
<p>"No, it's like- fucking living my life how I want to live is going to be so hard. People out there are actively judging me, trying to kill people like me. I would say that I can't be caught dead going to a place like West Virginia, but if I did go there is a good chance I would be!"</p>
<p>"I know."</p>
<p>"You do?"</p>
<p>"Yes, I do."</p>
<p>"Do you know how it feels every time I take a shower, or a bath, or change and I just see a dick hanging between my legs? Just- every morning I have to accept that it'll be there. And that if I want to remove that one, disgusting part of my body I'll have to go nearly into debt to possibly pay for a surgery that will only give me a <em>replication</em> of a vagina instead of the actual thing? All while people tell me I'm making a mistake and make me go through every hurdle and loop just to <em>possibly</em> get surgery that will make me feel just <em>a little</em> bit more like myself. And, hell - what if they're right about me making a mistake? What if I just…</p>
<p>"We've all gone through that, Andy. When I was figuring out some rough stuff about myself, I questioned every single day that I wore a binder, wore less makeup, styled my hair differently, eventually cut it off, and just every single piece of the journey."</p>
<p>"And you never regretted it?"</p>
<p>"Nope. Never did."</p>
<p>"What about your sister?"</p>
<p>"…"</p>
<p>"…"</p>
<p>"I love her. I really do love her. But she just doesn't see me as who I am. We yelled at each other and haven't spoken since. But despite all of that, I still don't regret me being who I am. I wouldn't take it back for a day."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>"The clouds are starting to clear."</p>
<p>"Yeah."</p>
<p>"Shame the sun is coming up soon."</p>
<p>"What time is it?"</p>
<p>"Five twenty-seven A.M."</p>
<p>"Jesus. I should've made you come home sooner."</p>
<p>"Give me another half hour."</p>
<p>"Okay."</p>
<p>"Or, I could just sleep right here."</p>
<p>"I think it would be comfier at home."</p>
<p>"Really?"</p>
<p>"Mhm."</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>The sun rose and shone new light upon the entire day. The pair stood although both were exceptionally tired.</p>
<p>"Quint?"</p>
<p>"Yeah?"</p>
<p>"I honestly can't wait for Spring to kick into full gear."</p>
<p>…</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>2 mg / day</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Estradiol Transdermal System, USP<br/>
Rx Only<br/>
<span style="font-size:75%;"><strong>Delivers 2 mg / day</strong></span></p>
<hr/>
<p><strong>Important:</strong> Package <em>not</em> child-resistant. Keep out of reach of children. Consume immediately upon removal. Do not store outside of the initial package.</p>
<p>Store at 20° - 25° C (68° - 77° F)</p>
</div>
<p>She took out a single pill and stared at it. This was it - the next step.</p>
<p>It was small. Small, white, and round. It barely left a gap between her index finger and thumb.</p>
<p>It was placed on the counter. She grabbed a glass and filled it with tap water from the faucet.</p>
<p>Then she downed the pill. That was it. No tears, no changes, nothing.</p>
<p>The pills are put away in a safe place.</p>
<p>Next came her moving to leave the kitchen. But a force pulled her back and brought her to the fridge</p>
<p>She took out the recipe for potato leek soup that her mother had given her.</p>
<p>She stared at it. She thought, she pondered. All of the emotions, the associations, and the failures.</p>
<p>How much the soup just <em>didn't taste right.</em></p>
<p>Next came one last look at the recipe.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<h4 id="toc54"><span>Potato Leek Soup</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<h3 id="toc55"><span>Ingredients:</span></h3>
<ul>
<li>2 Large Leeks</li>
<li>2 Cloves of Garlic</li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">6 Large Potatos</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">2 Tbsp Salted Butter</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">2 Teaspoons of Salt</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">1 Cup of Cream</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">6 Cups of Chicken Broth/Stock</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">1 Sprig of Thyme</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">2 Bay Leaves</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #5f6060">1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder</span></li>
</ul>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc56"><span><span style="color: #5f6060">Preparation:</span></span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #c7c8cb">Cut your leeks at the root end and halfway up the greens</span> ##BFC0C3|and chop each leek in half. Thoroughly wash between each and every layer of the leeks, as they will have plenty of dirt trapped within. Chop your leeks.</p>
<p>Peel both cloves of garlic and crush. Peel, then dice your potatos and let them sit in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes.##</p>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc57"><span><span style="color: #bfc0c3">Cooking</span></span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #bfc0c3">In a Dutch oven, throw in your butter and let melt at high heat. Then, add crushed cloves of garlic and your chopped leeks and let simmer for approximately 3 minutes at medium heat. Add in your potatos</span> <span style="color: #e9e9e9">and let simmer for a further minute. Then add in your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in all of your chicken broth/stock. Increase the temp to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and add your thyme and bay leaves. Let simmer for 15 minutes.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #e9e9e9">After 15 minutes, try to pierce the potatos with a fork. If you can pierce them with no resistance, turn off the heat. Fish out the bay leaves, and mash the soup. After fully mashed, add the whole cup of cream to the soup and mix.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: transparent">Enjoy!</span></p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p><span style="color: transparent">- Clarke Family Recipe</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>She stared at a blank sheet of paper held in her hands. It clearly had some sort of use, being wrinked and worn. But she just couldn't remember why.</p>
<p>Something became a blank slate in her memory. An idea that she just couldn't remember.</p>
<p>So, with no use for a piece of paper that meant nothing to her, she tore it in half and threw it away.</p>
<p>Then she checked every ingredient in her kitchen. All of her cupboards, her fridge, her counter. She gathered everything she could.</p>
<p>And then, Andie began to experiment.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<hr/>
<h4 id="toc58"><span>Potato Leek Soup</span></h4>
<hr/></div>
<h3 id="toc59"><span>Ingredients:</span></h3>
<ul>
<li>Loaf of Sourdough Bread</li>
<li>6 oz of Salami</li>
<li>6 Leeks</li>
<li>6 Potatoes</li>
<li>Chicken Broth/Stock</li>
<li>1 Cup of Cream</li>
<li>4 Cloves of Garlic</li>
<li>Pepper</li>
<li>Garlic Powder</li>
<li>Onion Powder</li>
<li>Cayenne Powder</li>
<li>MSG</li>
<li>Celery Salt</li>
<li>Salt</li>
<li>Brown Sugar</li>
<li>2 Bay Leaves</li>
<li>1 Sprig of Rosemary</li>
</ul>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc60"><span>Tools:</span></h3>
<ul>
<li>Dutch Oven/Soup Pot</li>
<li>Spatula</li>
<li>Ladle</li>
<li>Cutting Board</li>
<li>Knife</li>
<li>Mixing Bowl</li>
<li>Immersion Blender</li>
</ul>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc61"><span>Preparation:</span></h3>
<p>Place your cold pot on your stovetop. Do not turn on the heat.</p>
<p>Take the salami and cut into chunks. Peel and dice all six of your garlic cloves. Make sure that you have at least six cups of chicken broth/stock available, although have more ready if you can.</p>
<p>Slice off the root of your leeks. Then, cut your leeks once length-wise down the middle. Chop all of your leeks from the whites up until the greek stalks become dry. Place all of the chopped leeks in the mixing bowl, and bring them to the sink. Begin to fill the bowl with water as you use your hands to massage the chopped leeks, doing so to remove all of the dirt and sediment. Fill up to the top of the bowl with water. The leeks should float at the top of your bowl.</p>
<p>(Optionally peel your potatoes). Wash off your potatoes thoroughly to remove dirt and excess starch. Chop into small chunks.</p>
<hr/>
<h3 id="toc62"><span>Cooking:</span></h3>
<p>In your cold pot, place all of your diced salami. Make sure that there is no water or oil in the pot. Turn the temperature up to medium-high (As the temperature of the pot increases, fat will render out of the salami. This should produce enough fat to dually cook the salami and all other ingredients you need to fry before putting in stock. Any other fatty meat would work as a substitute.). Let simmer for 2 - 5 minutes, until a thin layer of fat covers the pot. Begin stirring salami after one minute.</p>
<p>After roughly a minute, add in your garlic. Let simmer for a further minute before removing the leeks from your bowl and place them into the pot (As said before, all of the leeks should float. Try to minimize the amount of water going into the pot. While some water is inevitable, putting in too much water with the leek will prevent the leeks from frying.).</p>
<p><strong>DO NOT</strong> pour remaining water in the bowl down your sink. There should be visible amounts of sand and debris that sink down to the bottom of your bowl, which may be harmful for your drainage. The water is great to use for watering your plants. If not, simply pour the water outside.</p>
<p>Stir frequently and let simmer for around three more minutes. After the time has passed, add in your potatoes. Stir roughly twice a minute for three minutes. (Cooking the potatoes and leeks ahead of boiling them helps the entire dish cook faster, as well as giving them browning and flavor.)</p>
<p>When the potatoes are done simmering, add in enough chicken broth/stock. If you like thicker soups, make sure to add enough stock to just <em>barely</em> cover the other ingredients. If you like lighter soups, add in enough stock to cover the ingredients by one or two inches.</p>
<p>With the stock in, turn the temperature up to high. While the soup begins to boil, add in both bay leaves and a tablespoon of brown sugar (Brown sugar makes every recipe taste better). Frequently stir and scrape the bottom of the pot to avoid burning.</p>
<p>Once the soup has reached a boil, reduce the heat to low/medium-low and stir until the soup is reduced to a simmer. Let simmer for 15 - 30 minutes. Check your potatoes every 2 - 3 minutes starting at around ten minutes. Once your potatoes are easily piercable with a fork, they are ready.</p>
<p>Add in your seasonings. You can choose different seasonings depending on your personal taste preferences. If you choose to add both salt and celery salt, make sure to minimize the amount of standard salt you apply accordingly to how much celery salt you put in (I personally only put half as much salt in as I do celery salt).</p>
<p>Use your spatula to fish out both bay leaves. Add in your cup of cream. Add more or less cream depending on your desired coloration. No matter how much you add, let your cream simmer for a few minutes until it separates and a thin layer forms on the soup. This should also be accompanied by the soup thickening.</p>
<p>Turn off your heat and take out your immersion blender. Puree the soup to your desired consistency.</p>
<p>After you are done pureeing, add in your rosemary.</p>
<p>Serve the soup in a bowl with a side of sourdough bread. Rip off chunks of the sourdough and dip in the soup to eat.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<p>- Andie Clarke</p>
</div>
</div>
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<p>Cite this page as:</p>
<div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item">
<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/potato-leek-soup">Potato Leek Soup</a>" by VapidPoem, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/potato-leek-soup">https://scpwiki.com/potato-leek-soup</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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</div></body></html> |
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Fifty-seven stars littered the sky.
]]
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[[=]]
**🕰️ Word Count: 18.7k Words 🕰️**
[[/=]]
[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
----
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
----
++++ Potato Leek Soup
----
[[/=]]
+++ Ingredients:
* 2 Large Leeks
* 2 Cloves of Garlic
* 6 Large Potatos
* 2 Tbsp Salted Butter
* 2 Teaspoons of Salt
* 1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
* 1 Cup of Cream
* 6 Cups of Chicken Broth/Stock
* 1 Sprig of Thyme
* 2 Bay Leaves
* 1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
----
+++ Preparation:
Cut your leeks at the root end and halfway up the greens and chop each leek in half. Thoroughly wash between each and every layer of the leeks, as they will have plenty of dirt trapped within. Chop your leeks. Peel both cloves of garlic and crush.
Peel, then dice your potatos and let them sit in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes.
----
+++ Cooking
In a Dutch oven, throw in your butter and let melt at high heat. Then, add crushed cloves of garlic and your chopped leeks and let simmer for approximately 3 minutes at medium heat. Add in your potatoes and let simmer for a further minute. Then add in your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in all of your chicken broth/stock. Increase the temp to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and add your thyme and bay leaves. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, try to pierce the potatos with a fork. If you can pierce them with no resistance, turn off the heat. Fish out the bay leaves, and mash the soup. After fully mashed, add the whole cup of cream to the soup and mix.
Enjoy!
[[>]]
- Clarke Family Recipe
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
The familiar scent of cooked potatoes filled the whole kitchen, only being cut by the aroma of fried onions and garlic.
Grabbing two towels, he picked up the Dutch oven and moved it to the dining room. His mother hurried around, grabbing a heat-safe placemat to set the Dutch oven on. Finally, a loaf of old, pre-sliced sourdough bread was brought to the table.
And they began to eat.
"Andy?" she said.
"Yes?"
"Do you want to do anything tonight?"
"Like?"
"Oh, I don't know. Watch a movie? Play a board game? Something. Anything, really."
"Maybe."
"Heh. That's not a no!"
"Yeah..."
Their spoon is dipped into the soup. Andy eased the spoon into their mouth to taste it. //Hot. It is too hot.//
"This is really good." He stated.
"Thank you."
"Same recipe as always?"
"Oh, you caught me!"
She laughed.
...
"Do you ever talk to your Aunt Shelly?"
"Sometimes."
"How is she going along?"
"Alright."
"When was the last time you two talked?"
"A week ago."
"Ah."
A torn chunk of sourdough bread was dipped into the soup. He blew on it in a feeble attempt to cool it down before eating it.
"What about you?"
"Hm?"
"When was the last time you and her-"
"Oh. A few weeks ago. Or a few months ago. You know?"
"Yeah."
Minutes passed until the soup was gone. //Tasty, as it had always been.// He used the remaining sourdough to soak up all of the remaining soup in his bowl.
"I can take that if you're done with it." She said, outstretching her hand.
"It's alright."
"You sure?"
"I can get it."
"Okay, then."
Plates and bowls clanked against each other as they were moved to the kitchen. When he was done, he emptied the Dutch oven into boxes of Tupperware and then into the fridge.
The sink water rushed out of the faucet. He grabbed a sponge to vigorously scrub at the Dutch oven until every single speck of dirtiness was cleansed.
Looking over at his mother, he saw her scrape chunks of food off of the plates into the trash can before they got crammed into the dishwasher.
...
//Tap. Tap. Tap.//
Footsteps rung as Andy Clarke ascended the staircase. He rested upon his bed as he finally entered his room. Andy allowed the warmth and heat of his body to be drained by the cool, soft bedsheets he rested on.
And yet, a light shone directly on his eyes. A turn later, Andy glanced at his curtain.
//A curtain that had never quite actually fully closed.//
Several groans later, Andy rolled over on his side away from the light. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep. After twenty-three minutes, Andy's eyes opened.
An urge overwhelmed him which drove him to grab his phone.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
----
[[/=]]
[[>]]
> I found a nice place. The rent is only about $1,400 a month //and// it's with a roommate.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> I still don't like it.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Mom...
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> It's only your second year. I mean living in it is going to be nice and all, but it would be way better for you to only get it next year.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> I put in a lot of hours over the summer to pay for this.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Only on part-time. Also let's not talk about how stressful this is going to be for you.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Stressful?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Studying for school & working a lot of hours at a job.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Not any more stressful than living in the dorms.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Come on.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> I hated it there.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> I went through my first four years of college in a dorm & you can't even go through one?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Because I could barely sleep, focus, or study in it!
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Andy...
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> I mean it. I'll be happier at my own place.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> I really doubt that.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> It's already been set up.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Fine. But don't come crawling to me asking for me to help pay for it.
[[/<]]
[[/div]]
//Tap.//
Typically, the sound of a phone being turned off is not that loud, not that noticeable. Yet, at the moment, it seemed to Andy that it was the loudest sound in the world. Andy closed his eyes, drifting to sleep.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
----
+++ Boarding Pass
----
[[/=]]
||~ Flight ||~ Date ||~ Origin ||~ Destination ||~ Seat||
|| 823 || 12/AUG/2023 || Pittsburgh, PA || Denver, CO || 17B ||
**Departure:** 05:30
**Passenger Name:** Andy Clarke
[[/div]]
Three hours. It took Andy three hours to assemble that simple, stupid desk.
He glanced over to a mattress which was fixed to the ground, accompanied by a box that contained an as-of-yet unassembled bed frame.
Thirsty, he reached for a cup and tried to sip out of it. //It was empty.// He left his room to go to the kitchen for more water.
Tap water filled the glass. Andy took one sip and nearly spat it out. Not exactly a bad taste, but rather an extremely //off// one.
A year spent living in Boulder, and this would be the first time that tap water tasted bad to him. He normally didn't mind unfiltered water. He //hadn't normally// minded it, at least.
...
Cold air rushed over him as he opened the fridge. Crisp, cool, calming air. An analysis of his fridge saw disappointment.
//Two containers of cold, buttered noodles,//
//Three eggs left in a carton,//
//And a bottle of rum.//
Not exactly a meal he envied for the fourth day in a row. So he checked his balance.
[[=]]
//$127.37//
[[/=]]
Takeout would not be an option. The money he had would have to last.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Susan:** Andy?
**Andy:** Hey Mom.
**Susan:** Hi!
**Andy:** How are you holding up?
**Susan:** Oh, you know. Just awful!
**Andy:** Uh huh?
**Susan:** I know it's only been a week, but it has felt like forever. Hasn't it?
**Andy:** It's only been four days.
**Susan:** Anyways, what are you calling me for?
**Andy:** Bit of a weird question - but do you have the family recipe for potato leek soup?
**Susan:** What?
**Andy:** Uh, the recipe for-
**Susan:** No, no. I mean- I heard you. Just... what? Why?
**Andy:** Oh, I was just interested in it. I mean - I ate it the other day with you and it just tasted really great.
**Susan:** Really?
**Andy:** Yeah. I just want to know how to make it. Think it would be useful to know and whatnot.
**Susan:** Well, um. Yeah! Sure. Let me find it really quick.
**Andy:** Thank you.
[[/div]]
Horrid. It truly turned out as a horrid meal.
Not when his mother made it, of course. But this was his first-ever attempt at even trying to cook. Ignore the noodles he boiled or the eggs he fried, this was a full-blown meal. His family's prized meal. A mean which he completely messed up.
The pantry revealed next-to-nothing aside from salt, pepper, butter, and garlic powder. Luckily, the grocery store was around a five-minute walk away.
Inside, he grabbed as much as he could remember as he hadn't bothered to write anything down.
//A cheap can of dried thyme,//
//A single, four-cup carton of chicken stock,//
//The first six potatoes he saw,//
//And a single head of garlic.//
His biggest pain was that he did not have or buy a vegetable peeler. Resorting to using a flimsy knife to cut off any skin or eyes, he chopped off at least a tenth of his total worth of potatoes.
The potatoes were unwashed. Before, during, and after they were prepared. Dirt which clung to the potato's skin clung to the knife, which rubbed off on the clean interiors of the potatoes as they were cut. All with the flawed reasoning that he had convinced himself of being that the potatoes would be cleaned off in the bowl of water.
While a rough chop was called for the leeks, they were given an impatient hacking-at by Andy. No care was given to ensure that the leeks were clean. Large chunks of soil and earth remained attached to the leeks as they were finished being prepared.
At the very least, Andy didn't waste anything. He used //all// of the leeks. The roots, dried inedible leaves, and all.
A realization dawned upon him at the last moment; he had no garlic crusher. Instead, he elected to use a mug to smash the garlic that was by some miracle peeled by him.
Without a Dutch oven he was left no choice other than to use a simple, standard pot. The temperature was far, //far// too high. Garlic and leeks burned the second they touched the pot. Even as he smelled smoke, he let the aromatics burn for the whole three-minutes as the recipe described before he added potatoes. Thankfully, the potatoes still had some water with them and didn't burn.
Whatever little chicken stock he bought was not enough. It failed to cover all of the potatoes without even being simmered down yet.
A second forgotten memory came back. He had not purchased bay leaves at the store. Pushed to the back of his mind, he added in all of the spices. For all three seasonings he used, they all were produced at such a fast speed that he had to have poured in at least twice of the seasonings that the recipe called for.
Unstirred, the boiling potatoes overflowed twice after he tried to cover them.
The one thing Andy had remembered to purchase was a masher. He exerted nearly his full body weight on the masher to, unsuccessfully, grind the potatoes and leeks into chunks.
After the fifteen minutes had passed, Andy turned off the heat and took the soup off of the burner.
It was hot. It was salty. It was peppery. It tasted charred. At times it felt like he was drinking sand. He would find long strands of poorly-chopped leeks that got stuck in his teeth. It was a struggle to choke down his pathetic excuse of a soup. While he did, he opened his phone.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
+++ Lauren
[[/=]]
----
[[>]]
> Heyyy. I just got back.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> welcome back!
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> I'm going to be working most of next week, but should be free for the weekend.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> nice.
[[/<]]
[[<]]
> do you want to hang out at my apartment over the weekend?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> You have an apartment?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> yea
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> That'd be cool.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> alright
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Maybe Saturday after I get off work?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> sure. I can pick you up if you'd like
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Alright.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> see you then
[[/<]]
[[/div]]
Leftover portions of the soup were placed in containers and then into the fridge. Even if the food was awful, he wouldn't let it go to waste.
Despite his hardest attempts, he couldn't fully clean up. A residue wound up being stuck to the bottom of the pot that would never quite come off. //Likely some mix of burnt butter, garlic, and leeks.//
Looking into the shopping bag, Andy remembered an impulse buy they had made.
//An ice cube.//
Although not much, it would at the very least make the tap water he hated taste cold.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
**Date Range:** ##transparent|..................................................## AUG/20 | AUG/26
[[/=]]
----
[[size 200%]] Potential Earnings [[/size]]
+ $457.65
[[size 125%]] //Before Taxes & Deductions// [[/size]]
----
[[size 200%]] Total Time Punched [[/size]]
+ 30:01
[[size 150%]] //__- View Time Punch Details -__// [[/size]]
~ 21/AUG/2023 - 04:07 Hours Worked
~ 22/AUG/2023 - 06:01 Hours Worked
~ 24/AUG/2023 - 06:15 Hours Worked
~ 25/AUG/2023 - 08:32 Hours Worked
~ 26/AUG/2023 - 05:36 Hours Worked
[[size 150%]] //- Hide Time Punch Details -// [[/size]]
----
[[/div]]
Andy grabbed a backpack and hastily shoved his nametag into it. He adorned a non-company sweater and left the breakroom. He walked to the parking lot. A car horn blared as it drove in front of him.
"Andy!"
"Hey."
"You ready to leave?"
"Yep.
Andy throws their backpack into the backseat and sits in the passenger seat.
"So how have you been?"
"Good, good. How'd your summer go."
"Oh, you know. Just spent it here-"
The car drives out of the parking lot.
"-and you're still down to head to my place, by the way?"
"Yep."
"Rad."
"How's your sister holding up?"
"Probably good. I don't really know."
"Oh?"
"We haven't really talked since the start of the summer."
"//Oh.//"
"Yeah... But what about you. How's your mom hanging in there?"
"She's getting better. Quit smoking, drinking, and all that stuff. But at this point..."
"The damage is already done?"
"Yeah."
"Jesus. Sorry for you.
"Thanks, Lauren."
"Ah shit."
"What?"
"I haven't told you yet."
"Told me what?"
"I don't really go by the name 'Lauren' anymore. I started going by 'Quint' over the summer."
"Oh. Sorry."
"You're good."
"Where'd you get the name Quint, anyway."
"I saw it in an old movie."
...
"Was it Jaws?"
"... Yeah."
"Fair enough."
...
"So... what prompted you - to start going by Quint."
"Do you know what being non-binary is?"
"Yeah."
"So..."
"I'm going to take a wild fucking guess and ask if you're non-binary."
"Bingo. And you're chill with that?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Two car doors opened at once. Then, Andy and Quint walked into Quint's apartment.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
----
++++ Potato Leek Soup
----
[[/=]]
+++ Ingredients:
* 2 Large Leeks
* 2 Cloves of Garlic
* 6 Large Potatos
* 2 Tbsp Salted Butter
* 2 Teaspoons of Salt
* 1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
* 1 Cup of Cream
* 6 Cups of Chicken Broth/Stock
* 1 Sprig of Thyme
* 2 Bay Leaves
* 1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
----
+++ Preparation:
Cut your leeks at the root end and halfway up the greens and chop each leek in half. Thoroughly wash between each and every layer of the leeks, as they will have plenty of dirt trapped within. Chop your leeks. Peel both cloves of garlic and crush.
Peel, then dice your potatos and let them sit in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes.
----
+++ Cooking
In a Dutch oven, throw in your butter and let melt at high heat. Then, add crushed cloves of garlic and your chopped leeks and let simmer for approximately 3 minutes at medium heat. Add in your potatos and let simmer for a further minute. Then add in your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in all of your chicken broth/stock. Increase the temp to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and add your thyme and bay leaves. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, try to pierce the potatos with a fork. If you can pierce them with no resistance, turn off the heat. Fish out the bay leaves, and mash the soup. After fully mashed, add the whole cup of cream to the soup and mix.
Enjoy!
[[>]]
- Clarke Family Recipe
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
"How exactly in the flying fuck did you manage to burn soup?"
"I don't know."
"It's //soup.// As in - that shit made of water that you boil stuff in. It is quite literally the opposite of burning."
"To be fair- it wasn't actually while I was boiling it."
"Oh yeah. I assumed as such."
"Then why were you giving me such a hard time about burning it?"
"Because the concept of burnt soup sounds funny."
"..."
"You should try changing it around a bit."
"Changing what?"
"The recipe. Changing the temperature and whatnot to try to avoid burning it. Each stovetop might be different from another."
"What if I undercook it?"
"It's a vegetarian soup. Not like it'll kill you."
"I guess."
"I don't know. Not too much of a chef anymore. Just try to change the recipe until you find something that you like."
"Thanks."
...
Three times.
Andy thrice checked the shopping list. Seventeen days had passed since he had first tried making the soup. This time, he had prepared a list of the //right// amount of //all the ingredients// that he needed. This included all of the tools that he //should// need. Paramount being a new, $65 Dutch oven.
With a new vegetable peeler, the skin was easily peeled off of all of the potatoes as he needed them. Roots severed and leeks bisected, Andy ran the leeks under cold water and meticulously washed out any semblance of dirt and filth before chopping them. He still came close to having accidentally severed his fingers three times.
In unison, all of his preparation saw improvement.
And even then, with all of his preparation and care, he still forgot the garlic crusher. Rather than use an old reliable mug, he elected to merely peel and chop the garlic. He reasoned that the bigger chunks would burn slower, anyways. Which was what it was about.
The Dutch oven was placed on the stove at a medium-low heat, as Andy now wanted to carefully raise the temperature. Still-cold butter was allowed to melt in the Dutch oven. Just enough butter had been saved from making toast that morning for it. Andy would have to run to the store to get more butter for the rest of the week, later. Finally, in went the garlic and leeks. That was it - it would be important for him to get it right. A new factor Andy had learned was to frequently stir to disperse heat and prevent burning via movement.
Nervousness overswept him. It didn't seem like there was enough fat in the Dutch oven. Maybe it was too wide? Maybe something else went wrong? Regardless as the seconds passed it became more and more likely to him that something was going to burn.
Andy looked around his kitchen. He knew he was out of butter, with all that he had left being a bottle of olive oil. Without much time to think, he let a glug of olive oil into the Dutch oven. That was it. The pot began to sputter and hiss at him as the olive oil dispersed throughout it.
Yet, it seemed to do the trick. The veggies weren't charred. When three minutes passed, he added in stock to deglaze the pan and ensure that any burned surfaces were completely destroyed.
The rest of the cooking time was similar to his original attempt, albeit better executed. More stock, better chunks, and better mashing all contributed. He especially placed care on the seasonings he let into the soup in order to avoid another over-seasoned mess.
When the soup was done, he turned off the burner and served it in a bowl. By this point, Andy knew that he had to wait for the soup to cool down. As he waited in anticipation, he made a call.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Susan:** Hey Andy. What's up?
**Andy:** Not much. Just calling back to ask about the soup.
**Susan:** What about it?
**Andy:** Just the recipe you sent me.
**Susan:** Yeah?
**Andy:** Are you sure you sent me the right recipe? Right ratios, cooking time, and whatnot?
**Susan:** Um. Yeah? I'm pretty sure.
**Andy:** Huh.
**Susan:** Is something wrong with it?
**Andy:** Yeah, no. It's just... I don't know.
**Susan:** Well, I can double-check it. It might just be something on your end; lack of experience or whatnot. I ought to've taught you how to make it when you were here.
**Andy:** Yeah...
**Susan:** But I guess that means that you should visit me sometime soon, huh?
**Andy:** Yep. Soon.
**Susan:** You got a plan figured out yet?
**Andy:** Not yet. But - could you just send me the recipe again? Double-check that it's the right one.
**Susan:** Of course.
**Andy:** I think it is the correct one. But it's just like... better to confirm it. You know?
**Susan:** Yeah. I'll send it to you again.
**Andy:** Thanks.
**Susan:** Love you.
**Andy:** Love you.
[[/div]]
He waited, waited, waited. A wait for the soup to finally cool down. Once the wait had passed, he sipped his first bite of the soup. It was a great improvement of the first, truly. Yet it still didn't taste quite //right...//
Presentable, sure. If he had been able to eat the first soup, this would be easy. But it still just tasted off, for whatever reason.
Before he knew it, the soup was gone. Immediately followed by him storing the soup in his fridge.
And then came the dishes, utensils, and other implements that all sat around the kitchen. All of them, dirty.
Andy pondered simply deciding to store them in the dishwasher, out of his sight and mind as they were roughly cleaned. Then he remembered his childhood, how often he pointed out dirt and residue on dishes only for his mother to dismiss him, claiming that he had OCD and was making a deal out of nothing.
So he got to work. It took nearly an hour, but he did it. All of the dishes were scrubbed clean of their sin by the time he was done.
His phone read //11:47 P.M.//. Which meant it was time for him to visit Quint and watch a movie.
...
Quint pressed a button on their remote. It activated the television. While the streaming service loaded, Quint looked through their fridge.
"You want anything?"
"Nah."
The fridge was then closed.
"I'm going to microwave some popcorn. You sure you don't want any?"
"You know what? Fine."
"Heh."
A single bag of popcorn was placed in the microwave. A few minutes passed before it was ready, at which point Quint tried to hand the bag to Andy.
"I'll wait."
"Really?"
"It's only a few minutes."
"Okay!"
When the second bag was ready, it was granted to Andy. He was joined by Quint as they jumped over the couch next to Andy.
"You ready?"
"Yep."
A button on the remote was clicked. The opening credits of //The Thing// played.
At first, black completely filled the screen. Pure, empty black which was then broken by the opening credits of the movie. When the credits finished, fifty-seven stars littered the screen.
One of the stars transformed into a spaceship that zoomed toward the camera and then to Earth. The spaceship landed in a cold, desolate land also known as Antartica.
...
The film ended with a shot of a bright fire which had engulfed the entirety of the facility, one that would inevitably burn it to the ground.
A facility, built long before, soon to be nothing.
"What a movie." Andy remarked.
"I know, right?"
"I don't know why I didn't see it sooner."
"It's probably my favorite movie, honestly."
"Yeah. I see why."
Fixation overwhelmed him as the final seconds of the movie played. Specifically, he paid attention to just how bright the fire was. How it made a beacon which shone in an otherwise empty, dark, and baren landscape.
"Do you know what time it is?"
He checked his phone.
"One fifty-three A.M."
"Jesus."
"Kinda getting late."
"Yeah... You know. Only a //bit// late."
"I should probably start heading back. I need to fix up my sleep schedule."
"That is a good idea, yeah."
The pair stood. Quint stretched as Andy checked his phone. While Quint stretched, they saw the back of their hand. Their nails adorned dark-purple nail polish.
"Hey Andy."
"Yeah?"
"You ever had your nails done before?"
"Nope."
"Do you want to have your nails done? Should only be about ten minutes."
"Sure.
A set of nail polish is retrieved and brought before Andy. The set is opened and several unique shades are presented.
"Alright. Pick a color."
"This one."
"Black?"
"Is that alright?
"Of course."
His hands eased while Quint guided them.
"Hold them steady. I don't want to get any polish on your skin."
Over eleven minutes, Quint did Andy's nails. It took time for the polish to dry. But when it was dry, Andy held their new painted nails up in admiration.
"Wow."
"You like them?"
"Yeah. Thank you."
"No problem."
...
[[=]]
10:00
[[/=]]
An alarm blared. Andy yawned and stretched his arms, noticing the black which still covered their nails.
Mono colored, pristine, semi-beautiful black. Even after a whole night's rest, it had-
Their alarm blared again, now reading 10:05 A.M.
It was quickly shut off, as well as the other seven alarms Andy had set to ensure he woke up around the right time every morning.
Their roommate's door was open. He was relaxed on his bed and typed on his phone. He barely elected to grant Andy a glance as Andy scurried by with their hand curled into a fist to ensure that their roommate didn't see their nails.
In the kitchen, Andy checked his balance.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
----
[[=]]
+++ Bank
[[/=]]
----
[[<]]
**Aunt Shelley** has sent you $275.00.
//To help you out with the first few weeks of food for college. Congrats on the apartment!//
[[/<]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Aunt Shelley
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Andy:** Hey.
**Shelley:** Hey. How ya doing?
**Andy:** Good. And yourself?
**Shelley:** Ah. I'm doing alright here, you know?
**Andy:** Yeah? How's Jess doing?
**Shelley:** Good. She's picking up Cole from practice right now.
**Andy:** Nice.
**Shelley:** Did you see the money that I sent you?
**Andy:** Yeah. That's why I'm calling. Thank you.
**Shelley:** Don't mention it.
**Andy:** You didn't have to do that, though.
**Shelley:** You kidding me? I don't know how much you have but I know college is rough. Especially nowadays.
**Andy:** Yeah...
**Shelley:** I remember when I was going through it. Half of the time I was surviving on microwave meals and tv dinners. The other half I had nothing at all. I don't want you to go through that.
**Andy:** Well thank you.
**Shelley:** When are you starting college?
**Andy:** In a week or two.
**Shelley:** Uh huh?
**Andy:** Mostly I've just been spending my time back getting ready for it. You know?
**Shelley:** Yeah. Well I better not get around wasting any more of your time.
**Andy:** It's okay, we can still talk.
**Shelley:** No, no. I also probably have to get a head start on dinner soon.
**Andy:** Aww.
**Shelley:** I'll talk to you later, then.
**Andy:** See ya.
[[/div]]
The fridge door swung open, a single-serving container of the potato leek soup being taken from it. With the lid removed, it was set in the microwave to cook for four minutes.
A reflection was visible on the microwave. While faint, Andy really had no choice but to stare into it as the minutes passed. That was until Andy raised their hand, taking a glance at their nail polish. Now, despite being a less-close look, they saw the imperfections in their nails. Minor nicks, scratches, and all sorts of blemishes dotted their nails.
The faucet began pouring out water as they applied soap to their nails. There was a wait as the water began to heat. Nail polish on the edge of their nails where it met their skin curled. Andy picked at those curls in an attempt to peel off as much as they could.
The water got hotter, and hotter, //and hotter.// Until it was so hot that they yanked it back in pain.
Then the microwave beeped, cutting them off.
...
Cold. It was cold. The soup was cold. Not hot, not warm, not lukewarm, but cold. They would have put it back into the microwave to heat it further, except that merely feeling the soup seemed to overwhelm Andy with a sense of vertigo - making them sit down.
A decision was reached to just eat the cold soup. Beside, Andy heard something about potato leek soup traditionally being served cold. Surely this would be good.
...
Abhorrent. An abhorrent, abnormally uninviting soup in stark contrast to the presentable soup the prior night.
Still, Andy scarfed it down.
When Andy had finished the soup, they walked to the sink and cleaned it. The soup seemed to easily wash away. At least, wash away much easier than their nail polish had. Andy looked at their nails one last time, noting how they looked similar to when they had awoken.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
----
+++ Grocery List
----
[[/=]]
* 6x Potatoes
* 1x Carton of Milk
* 12x Cans of Soda
[[/div]]
The cashier scanned Andy's select few items. The beeping of scanner and overall noise were drowned out by an abject nothing that flooded Andy's ears.
"That'll by $20.15."
"Huh?"
"Your total."
"Oh, sorry."
Their credit card was inserted into the reader.
"I like your nails."
"Thank you."
"Where'd you get the polish from? It looks nice."
"One of my friends."
"Ah. Well, I think your nails look pretty regardless."
"Thank you."
...
[[=]]
17:20
[[/=]]
The key slid into the lock and the front door opened. Andy put all of the groceries they had bought into their fridge and cupboards.
After the last grocery is put in the fridge, they take out the final portion of potato leek soup. Their roommate is nowhere to be seen, although Andy assumed they had eaten some of it.
Six minutes. The soup spent six minutes in the microwave. By the time it was done, it was so hot that Andy needed oven gloves to remove it. They knew it would be a while before it cooled down to a point of edibility.
Rather than wait, Andy opened their freezer and pulled out the ice cube tray. They popped out a single ice cube and dropped it in the soup, using their spoon to stir it around.
When they took a sip, the soup was palatable. Better than being eaten cold and arguably better than the night it was cooked, but still just not quite there.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[size 125%]] Hello, Andy! [[/size]]
----
You have started your shift at 16:58.
Your shift is scheduled to end at 22:30. You are entitled to receive __one__ rest break throughout the shift.
[[>]]
25/SEP/2023
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
"Andy!"
"Quint?"
"Hey!"
"Hey. Why are you here?"
Quint showed Andy a six-pack of energy drinks.
"For you."
"Aww. Thanks."
The nail has been picked off of Andy's nails, which Quint glances at. They point at Andy's hand.
"Did you not like them?"
"Oh, no. I did. I just woke up and they mostly had fallen off already. Figured I'd remove them."
"Uh huh?"
"I was actually thinking about getting some of my own."
"Like, to apply?"
"Yeah."
"Holy shit."
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing. But you should totally come over to my place later so I can help you learn how to apply it."
"I can't today."
"Then in a few days?"
"Sure."
...
With the scribbling of a sharpie, a sticky-note was placed on Andy's drinks to assert them as theirs to their roommate.
After that, Andy moved to their room and sat down at their desk. They opened their laptop to pass later into the night.
Throughout the night, Andy grew curious.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
> || 🔍︎ Search the web ||
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
> || 🔍︎ Prettiest nail polish colors ||
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
> || 🔍︎ Tutorial for applying nail polish at home ||
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
> || 🔍︎ Where to buy nail polish in Boulder, Colorado ||
[[/=]]
[[/div]]
Andy watched as an unfamiliar person left Quint's apartment and walked to a car. As they drove away, Andy moved to knock on Quint's door.
"Hey Andy. Come in!"
They enter the house.
"Who was that?"
"Huh?"
"That person who just left your apartment. I saw them walking out."
"Oh, yeah. That's my roommate. She's leaving to go to work."
"Uh huh?"
The hair atop Quint's head had been cut short in the three days since Andy and Quint last hung out.
"Nice cut."
"Thanks."
"You like it?"
"Yeah. I've wanted to cut my hair short for a while. Takes less care."
"I'm starting to grow mine out. Save money on getting haircuts."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. I head about Bob Ross doing that before he got a show."
"Is that why he had the afro?"
"Yeah. Although I did read something about how he ended up hating his hair."
"You ready?"
"Yep.
It took a minute, but Quint retrieved thirteen different shades of nail polish and brought them to the table in front of Andy.
"Pick one."
"Black is fine."
"Pick another."
"Dark blue?"
"And another."
"I don't know. Purple?"
"And another-"
"Ain't we just painting my nails a single color?"
"Yeah. They're for you."
...
"What?"
"I have more than enough already."
"I'll just take those three, I guess."
"You sure."
"Yes I'm sure."
"Okay, then."
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"Okay. You're going to want to start with the nail base-"
...
Late at night, Andy laid in bed and watched videos on their phone. Video after video on Youtube of short, two-to-five-minute-long nail polish tutorials.
A method they had been taught by their scrolling was finally fully functionally devised.
Before Andy could enact it, they moved to their bathroom with nail polish. They tried as hard as they could to be quiet as they knew their roommate was asleep.
A bottle of nail polish remover was opened, soon placed on Andy's nails in an effort to wear out the paint.
One minute passed. Then two minutes. Then three minutes.
//Then five minutes.//
After exactly seven minutes a nozzle is turned and hot water begins to pour out of the faucet. Nail polish which touched Andy's skin had already began to peel and curl up. Andy grabbed the nail polish and meticulously peeled off as much as they could.
Streaks and dots of nail polish once again littered their nails. Running their nails under the hot water did help, although specks of nail polish remained never-the-less.
A short trip to the kitchen saw Andy grab a few sheets of paper towels before they retreated to their room.
The paper towels were strewn on the table. Andy grabbed the dark purple nail polish, nail base, and coat.
Nail base came first. It flowed along his nails, although admittedly a bit too much was applied.
Then came the first layer of nail polish. Although inconsistent in its application, it generally avoided overlap onto their skin.
Five minutes passed.
Then came the second layer of nail polish. Now, it coated every atom of their nails and more. In several cases it fell onto their skin.
Andy picked away at the excess nail polish with a nail file attached to their nail clipper to scrape off as much as they could. But still a thin layer solidified within seconds of it being applied, fusing to their skin.
Five minutes passed.
And the coat was applied over all of the polish.
What Andy was left with was obvious. //A disaster.// Their nails were bumpy, the nail polish looked ugly, nail polish had gotten stuck under their nails. It was a fiasco.
And yet, it hardly mattered. It was //theirs.// They had applied the nail polish on their own. Never mind the imperfections, Andy was left in admiration of their work.
...
In the parking lot, Andy was left in panic. It was a quick trip, with them only needing to grab one item.
But, their nails remained. Near-pristine. //As pristine as shoddily-applied nail polish could be.//
When they left their car their fingers were curled into a fist. It was enough for Andy to feel comfortable walking in public with markings on their nails.
Twenty-seven seconds passed after Andy entered the store. They passed a clothing aisle. A previously fast pace slowed down as an outfit got caught in the corner of their eye.
A mannequin adorning a long, brown pocketed skirt, a mini-belt, and a long-sleeved brown shirt.
Their phone rang.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Susan:** Andy!
**Andy:** Hey.
**Susan:** Is now a good time to talk for a bit?
**Andy:** Not really.
**Susan:** Aww. Well I'll keep it brief.
**Andy:** Mom-
**Susan:** So how's school going so far this year? Good, I hope.
**Andy:** Yep.
**Susan:** Uh huh? You liking your new classes?
**Andy:** So far...
**Susan:** How about, um... That apartment of yours! Is it doing you well?
**Andy:** Yeah. I like it. It's been a lot less stressful than the dorms.
**Susan:** I still think you're overplaying it a bit.
**Andy:** Come on.
**Susan:** I mean - no use arguing it now. It's over with. But still.
**Andy:** So, yeah... To be frank, I'm not sure that I like my roommate too much.
**Susan:** Really?
**Andy:** Yeah. He's been eating all my food, not doing dishes. All that stuff.
**Susan:** Well that's just what happens when you rent your own place. Stuff isn't so easy.
**Andy:** And that wouldn't have happened in dorms?
**Susan:** Really?
**Andy:** What?
**Susan:** People had a lot more manners back when I was in the dorms. When I moved out-
**Andy:** Hang on- I need to grab something real quick. I'll have to call you back later.
**Susan:** Well, hang on. Just another minute or two?
**Andy:** Yeah... Sure.
**Susan:** How's that soup coming along for ya? Did you have the right recipe?
**Andy:** Yeah, I did.
**Susan:** Did it work out better the second time around?
**Andy:** Yeah. Did end up tweaking the recipe around a bit.
**Susan:** What?
**Andy:** Yeah. I think my stovetop is wonky. Had to adjust the heat, add in a bit of olive oil.
**Susan:** Andy! You should have called me first.
**Andy:** I mean - I did. Just, right before I started cooking.
**Susan:** You- ... Andy, you know what I meant.
**Andy:** Oh? Sorry, then. Don't see how it was that big of a deal.
**Susan:** What did you change with it? What was the whole recipe you used?
**Andy:** Um. Pretty much the same recipe? I just changed around the cooking time a little bit.
**Susan:** Okay. What was the whole recipe.
**Andy:** I don't remember-
**Susan:** Well, there you go! That's cause you didn't follow a recipe. And now you're complaining about how it turned out bad.
**Andy:** Mom-
**Susan:** What?!
**Andy:** I don't remember it off the top of my head!
**Susan:** Do you have a copy of it?
**Andy:** Not right now.
**Susan:** Uh huh?
**Andy:** All that I changed was the cooking time because I burned the garlic the first time.
**Susan:** Why?
**Andy:** One of my friends suggested it.
**Susan:** Who?
**Andy:** His name is Quint. They-
**Susan:** What was the greater context surrounding that?
**Andy:** I just brought it up.
**Susan:** All do respect to Quint, whoever he is-
**Andy:** Quint doesn't go-
**Susan:** -but this recipe has been in our family for generations and generations. All due respect to him, but I trust the family recipe more than him. You know?
**Andy:** Yup...
**Susan:** Andy, here's my idea. I think you should try the recipe a few more times before you alter it to your own taste. That sound good?
**Andy:** Yeah. I mean, I was kinda planning on that. Changing it around until I know exactly how to avoid mistakes and all.
**Susan:** But, I want you to call me whenever you make it. No listening to friends or making up how to cook it on the fly. Instead I need you to let me in on everything you do. Okay?
**Andy:** Okay...
[[/div]]
Deep breaths. Deep, deep breaths.
Breathing did not help.
Andy tried to continue their search toward the store. They just needed an immersion blender for the soup. Nothing else.
They found their legs becoming stiff, which did not help Andy as their pace nearly tripled. Sweat formed on their brow. It dripped down their forehead into their eye. Whatever control Andy had of their breathing vanished as Andy found themself unable to breath.
Then Andy saw a unisex bathroom. Without a second thought, the door was opened then slammed behind them with nearly full force. The door was locked behind them.
It took nineteen paces around the small, cramped room for Andy to finally breathe again.
Now able to breathe, they sat on the toilet for five minutes. With a jolt, they rose to the mirror. Their eyes had gotten beet red, although no tears had formed.
Their thumb and index finger moved to their sinus and pinched hard. A minute passed and Andy swallowed.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Susan:** Yes?
**Andy:** I just wanted to say something else-
**Susan:** What is it?
**Andy:** I just wanted to talk a bit about the recipe - what I am thinking about it and whatnot.
**Susan:** Okay. What about it?
**Andy:** It was just... being put on the spot like that. Randomly called. I wasn't really able to think what I wanted to say, you know?
**Susan:** Uh huh?
**Andy:** But, yeah...
**Susan:** What is that echo, by the way?
**Andy:** Nothing.
**Susan:** Nothing?
**Andy:** It's just a bathroom. I wanted some privacy.
**Susan:** You wanted some- Jesus Christ, this is to yell at me, isn't it?
**Andy:** No-
**Susan:** Andy, just say what you want to say. I can't do this.
**Andy:** I'm not going to yell at you.
**Susan:** So what is it?
**Andy:** It's just more- what I'm thinking is that I change the recipe a bit while I learn how to cook. Avoid burning things and everything like that.
**Susan:** And that just applies to cooking temp?
**Andy:** Mostly. I'm also getting an immersion blender-
**Susan:** Andy...
**Andy:** Because I don't like how chunky I cut the potatoes.
**Susan:** Andy! That's one of the biggest parts of the recipe! It's supposed to have chunks in it.
**Andy:** I don't... really agree with that. I just think-
**Susan:** Sorry, but I don't think you're making the same soup anymore.
**Andy:** It's just one thing-
**Susan:** It's two. The temp, now this. Next you're going to tell me something else, and then something else. It's not the same soup anymore, just admit that.
**Andy:** Mom! I-
**Susan:** Stop. I told you that I can't argue right now.
**Andy:** Okay then! Sorry.
**Susan:** So stop yelling at me, stop arguing with me, and be honest with me that it isn't just that.
**Andy:** It was just the temp thing. The blending thing's only something that I might do.
**Susan:** Might?
**Andy:** I don't know. Just see if I like it more.
**Susan:** I think you're changing your answers now; which I don't really like.
**Andy:** That was always what I was going to do.
**Susan:** I don't like it when you lie to me, sweetie.
**Andy:** I just-
**Susan:** You know what, Andy? I'm not doing this, today. I've barely had any energy today and I just can't argue with you right now. You can't admit when you're wrong and just keep lying and I... I just can't.
**Andy:** Sorry...
**Susan:** Look- Andy, I love you. But that's not the same soup and it won't ever be. Unless you change it back, it's fundamentally different. And lets just leave it at that. Agreed?
**Andy:** Yep.
**Susan:** I'm going to go. I have to take a shower. Love you.
**Andy:** Love you...
[[/div]]
The call ends.
They let out a scream.
A scream they hoped wasn't heard by anyone. Really, really hoped.
It took another twenty-three paces to calm down. When they stopped, they looked in the mirror. The sight of their reflection overcame them with a need to cry.
Their best effort to suppress their tears were in vain. It couldn't be held in forever. As he realized that truth, Andy let themself cry for only one minute.
A paper towel was produced by the dispenser and used to soak up any water around Andy's eyes. Still, they were bloodshot. At best, Andy hoped that the cashier would think they were high.
It took them a lot, but they managed to convince themself to leave the bathroom.
There was no point in getting the immersion blender anymore. So they went to leave the store. Two employees looked at them, an act that confirmed they had heard Andy's scream.
Right before they left, Andy's eye was caught once more. The outfit. On a discount, no less.
[[=]]
$45.99
[[/=]]
And it was silly. They didn't have that much to spare - couldn't afford any split-second purchases.
...
Except they could. It was priced the same as an immersion blender.
Andy looked around for a price tag. Eventually, Andy found that it was priced at $45.99. Andy didn't know if they had that much to spare. Nor why they were even considering it.
But, they had decided not to buy the immersion blender. They would, in all likelihood, be a similar price. Andy toiled and considered.
...
"Will that be all for the day?"
"Yep."
"Total should be around $45.99."
The cashier was handed a credit card.
"It's for my sister."
"Uh huh?"
"Yeah. Her birthday is coming up. Wanted to get her something nice."
"Well, she must be pretty lucky. It's a pretty nice dress."
"It really is."
"Would you like a receipt?"
"No thank you."
"Have a great day."
They knew.
The cashier knew.
Andy could see it in their eyes.
Outfit in hands, they left the store as fast as they could, getting in their car and screaming.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Roommate
----
[[/=]]
[[>]]
> You going to be here tonight?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> No.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Where are you going to be at?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> A party.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Okay.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Why?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Just curious.
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
Even though their roommate would be gone, Andy instinctively locked themself in their bathroom.
They took off their jacket, then their belt, then their jeans, then their shirt, then their socks, and finally their boxers.
And then they were nude. Completely.
Immediately followed was a feeling of relief. Their clothes had been a bit tight on them.
Andy glanced over at the door to confirm it was locked. With the final confirmation, Andy opened the bag.
Three components.
A skirt. A shirt. And a belt.
It quickly dawned on them that they would need a bra and panties to comfortably complete the set.
//Complete the set?!//
They hardly knew why they bought the outfit in the first place. Yet, they put it on piece-by-piece-by-piece, followed by a glance in the mirror.
And they were beautiful.
Although not the perfect fit, the clothes were the most comfortable thing Andy had ever worn. It fit their shape well, the fabric was soft. Oh, it was soft.
Andy began to cry. Not tears of stress, exhaustion. Rather tears of emotion, elation.
Andy turns, and turns, and turns, and turns, and turns. They adore every angle, every aspect of their outfit.
It takes five minutes before Andy seems to snap out of adoration. They mechanically exit the bathroom and retreat to their bedroom, electing to lock the door before they passed out on their bed.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
> || Missed Call: Quint //8:42 P.M.// ||
...
...
...
> || Missed Call: Quint //8:44 P.M.// ||
...
...
...
> || Missed Call: Quint //8:47 P.M.// ||
[[/=]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Quint
----
[[/=]]
[[<]]
> heyyyy
[[/<]]
[[<]]
> r u okay?
[[/<]]
[[<]]
> anyways, was wondering if u wanted to head to my place later.
[[/<]]
[[<]]
> just to watch a movie
[[/<]]
[[<]]
> let me know when u get this.
[[/<]]
[[=]]
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
[[/=]]
[[>]]
> Sorry. I was sleeping.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> all good. u down to call rn?
[[/<]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Quint
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Quint:** Andy?
**Andy:** Yeah?
**Quint:** You good?
**Andy:** Huh? Yeah.
**Quint:** Yeah, just... Don't think I've ever known about you sleeping earlier than midnight.
**Andy:** I was just tired last night. Sorry about not getting your texts.
**Quint:** All good. Were you doing anything last night?
**Andy:** No, just tired. Y'know. School and whatnot.
**Quint:** Uh huh?
**Andy:** It's just... You know. An energy thing.
**Quint:** Guess you and me both gotta start getting used to it, huh?
**Andy:** Unfortunately.
**Quint:** Do you want to eat out later?
**Andy:** Where?
**Quint:** Chinese food?
**Andy:** Actually, maybe not today. Had some plans.
**Quint:** All good.
**Andy:** Yeah... I should- probably start getting my morning going.
**Quint:** Yeah, you probably should.
**Andy:** Talk later.
**Quint:** Stay safe.
[[/div]]
Andy hung up the phone and rolled out of bed. After a stretch, they look down and realize they still adorn the same clothes as the night prior.
Panic ensued. They tore off the outfit, nearly ripping it while they undresssed. Now naked, Andy rushed to put on a t-shirt, boxers, pajama pants, and a matching flannel before they were ready.
The removed clothing was crammed into a ball and thrown on their bed.
They sighed, then remembered that the previous night they had planned to make potato leek soup, but never did. With a free morning, they entered the kitchen.
[[=]]
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
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[[/=]]
Andy remembered the first time they ever tried to make potato leek soup.
The first time they followed the family recipe.
The first time they ever cooked.
This was worse.
A lot worse.
In truth, it was awful.
It wasn't a familiar type of awfulness, either.
It was, somehow, new.
It didn't make sense. Andy had very, very closely followed the original recipe. Even with a call to their mother, it didn't work.
Same temp, same cooking time, same ratios, same ingredients, and a same everything as the recipe had called for.
Andy tried their best to eat the soup. They had eaten every other soup before. Every other, awful soup. They only managed to get a few bites in.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Andy:** Yeah, Mom?
**Susan:** Just checking in to see how the soup's doing.
**Andy:** Yeah. It turned out pretty good.
**Susan:** See? I told you that just following the recipe was all that you needed.
**Andy:** Yep.
**Susan:** Have anything to say?
**Andy:** Thanks...
**Susan:** Also - have you ever thought about when you might come over to visit.
**Andy:** Um. Probably not until Christmas?
**Susan:** But that's so long away-
**Andy:** The distance from Colorado to Pennsylvania is also pretty far.
**Susan:** Yeah...
**Andy:** Although, to be honest, I might not be able to afford the plane ticket.
**Susan:** Honey...
**Andy:** I've been looking at them, and they're getting pretty expensive.
**Susan:** I can help you pay for the ticket.
**Andy:** And then it's also the jet lag - that's playing into it.
**Susan:** Andy. You're visiting me for Christmas.
**Andy:** I want to! It's just I don't know if I can.
**Susan:** I know- that you're a bit mad about the soup. But I don't think that really affects why you should or shouldn't come over.
**Andy:** It isn't!
**Susan:** Then why don't you want to?
**Andy:** I do! I do. I just... I probably will. But I don't know for certain.
**Susan:** We can visit your grandmother's grave.
**Andy:** Yeah, we can.
**Susan:** It's been a while since we've done that, huh?
**Andy:** It has...
**Susan:** But I- just want to see you Andy. Get together for the holidays.
**Andy:** Yeah. Well, I still need to sort out the flight. But I promise that I will come.
**Susan:** You don't have to. I don't want to force you.
**Andy:** It's alright.
**Susan:** So you'll come over?
**Andy:** Yep.
[[/div]]
It had to be thrown away. It just had to.
All of the soup they had made was inedible. It was disgusting, //repulsing// to eat.
So much food went to waste all in a single moment. They went to their fridge to find some food, //any food.//
Before they could choose, they ran to the bathroom and vomitted.
When they finished, they wiped the vomit off of their lip and went to their bedroom. Seeing a glass of water, they emptied it.
And collapsed on their bed.
...
Tossed and turned, turned and tossed. They tossed around for twenty-seven minutes.
All they wanted was to be able to close their eyes and rest. But, they couldn't.
Andy shot up, sitting in their bed. They turned, their eyes locking almost like a magnet to the dress that laid on their bed.
With a single motion, they grabbed the dress. Their nausea seemingly having faded away.
The soft fabrics melted in their hands, each silky fiber feeling soft and beautiful as ever.
[[=]]
Then,
without a single reason,
they tore the dress.
[[/=]]
First in half, then in fourths, then in eigths, then in sixteenth...
Within moments, it was reduced to scraps and shreds. Andy made very well sure to give the other parts of the outfit attention. The belt was snapped, the sleeves ripped off the shirt before themself being halved.
Massive holes were ripped through the shirt until it was nothing but a rag.
Five minutes passed. Shreds laid in Andy's hands and around their room.
They breathed and picked up what scraps they could to throw any away.
...
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Quint
----
[[/=]]
[[>]]
> You want to eat out?
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
...
Quint had arrived. A text on their phone informed them so.
Andy walked outside to meet them. When they had met, the pair walked inside of the restaurant and were seated at a booth.
"You doing okay?"
"Yeah. Just... woke up rough this morning."
"I feel you."
"Good thing I've been going to sleep earlier, huh?"
"Heh. Yeah."
A server arrived and took their drink orders. Both ordered a cup of water.
"That'll be out in a second."
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
The server brought spinach artichoke dip to the table.
"Yum."
"Good call with this one, Andy. Spinach artichoke dip is my favorite."
"Uh huh?"
"Yep. Behind whatever I decide to order."
...
"So did my suggestion work out?"
"It didn't taste burnt, if that's what you're asking."
"For some reason I feel like you didn't like it."
"I think it's mostly just inexperience, not the recipe."
"Probably."
"I called my mom the other day to talk to her about it. She freaked //the fuck// out."
"About what?"
"I don't even know, man. The temp? I guess."
"Jesus. That's rough."
"It's just like... A //really, really// small part of the recipe and she was freaking out about it."
"What happened after that?"
"She called me a few more times the next time I made soup."
"Still freaking out?"
"Still freaking out. Yep."
"Yeah. That really sucks."
"Like, I don't really care about it, it's just like. You really care that much about whether I simmer garlic on medium, or low heat when I'm just fucking starting to learn how to cook enough to yell at me for it."
"But you liked it."
"The one with the changed recipe, yeah. You know - I made some earlier, followed the recipe word-for-word, and it still tasted like shit."
"It's definitely because you just haven't tried it enough."
"Yeah, yeah."
...
"When are you leaving?"
"The 21st. I get back on the 28th."
"We've got to do something before you head off. Something before you spend a week in mundane hell FarmVille."
"Yeah?"
"We just have to. Doctor's orders."
"What are you thinking of?"
"Something small. Probably having drinks at a park or something."
"That sounds fun."
"So you're down?"
"Yeah."
"Radical."
...
"Like your roommate?"
"Kinda."
"So that's not a yes?"
"I didn't say I don't."
"Because, my roommate is dropping out of college."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. She found a high-paying job and didn't need her diploma."
"Good for her."
"So that means that I have an open room."
"Uh huh?"
"//And// I don't want to pay two people's rent by myself. Don't really want to move, either."
...
"You get what I'm saying?"
"I'll have to think about it."
"Just let me know soon."
"Of course."
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
It was dark when Andy's door opened. Despite just eating, they were hungry.
The fridge door opened and the note they had left was gone. //As well as one of their energy drinks...//
It was at that moment Andy decided to move out.
They grabbed pre-cooked, cold spaghetti noodles out of the fridge. Rather than microwave them, Andy put grated parmesan on them and moved to their room with a fork to eat them cold.
Not bothering to turn on a light, they sat in front of their laptop and quickly finished the pasta. A sigh left Andy's mouth as they looked at an essay they had to write.
400 words done.
3,000 words needed.
A clock read //10:52 P.M.//
They had time, plenty of time. They just needed to write.
//11:55 P.M.//
500 words done.
3,000 words needed.
The laptop screen was left open as they moved to their bed. Curled up in a ball, facing away from the light, and they eventually saw a scrap.
Despite being only a thousandth of the original's glory, it had all the pull. Both eyes locked on the shred as their hand outstretched to grab it.
Andy let out a gentle laugh.
"Must've been poor quality- with how easy it was to tear..."
They wrapped their body around a pillow, cooling off with shred still in hand.
"Wouldn't have lasted if I wore it more than once..."
[[=]]
//Wore it where?//
//In their room?//
//In public?!//
[[/=]]
No no, they wouldn't have. It made sense for them to rip it; they didn't need it. They simply didn't.
Yet Andy did not know why they were holding on to the last scrap of fabric so tightly.
//12:21 A.M.//
They went to their desk and shook their cursor around to turn on the screen. Fingers on the keys, they prepared to keep writing.
Until they brought out a pen and paper.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
----
Mystique -- Lash False Lash Effect Mascara -- Adds Volume & Lengthening -- Cruelty & Paraben-Free
[[>]]
$3.49
[[/>]]
----
Ellanie's Prime Remain All Day Red Lipstick, Matte -- Long-Lasting Color Wear -- No Transfer or Bleed -- Hydrating & Non-Irritating for Soft Lips
[[>]]
$5.97
[[/>]]
----
Black Tone Lip Stick for Soft Lips -- Hydrating & Non-Irritating -- Perfect Gift For Your Girlfriend
[[>]]
$6.49
[[/>]]
----
PROFFESSIONAL MAKEUP EYELINER Used By Celebrities -- Waterproof Pattented Formula -- Black Tone
[[>]]
$18.57
[[/>]]
----
INSTANT Cheekbone Contour Peach Perfection, .33 Oz, Non-Irritating Materials to Enhance Natural Radiance
[[>]]
$5.97
[[/>]]
----
[[>]]
++ **Subtotal (5 item):**
++++ $40.51
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
Three hours were needed to watch makeup tutorials on Youtube, or trying to figure out how to grow a wolfcut.
Andy checked their bank account.
//$205.60//
Andy sighed what they thought was a sigh of a relief. An excuse why they didn't buy it. They couldn't drop 1/5th of their money on makeup! Not at the moment.
And then Andy remembered how much cheaper it was to buy things in person vs online...
...
The cashier didn't believe them. There was no way. Literally no way. It was like when Andy bought the dress.
They claimed it to be for Christmas shopping, a gift for their mother. The cashier didn't buy it for a second. At the very least, they //suspected// it. Buying //all of that makeup// for one person who'd likely //already have it?!//
Andy only hoped.
They locked the bathroom door behind them and dropped the bag on the counter. Their roommate was there, so they had to be careful.
Andy started with the eyeliner - which was shakily applied. It curved and swayed as dots of skin peeked out throughout both of their upper eyelids.
Next up - the blush. The kit came with four different colors. The initial blush that Andy applied hardly matched their skin tone. Andy grabbed a wet towel and tried to wipe off the blush. Yet, it persisted. After Andy's face was dried off, Andy tried to apply a different kind of blush. All that Andy was left with were patches of dust that clinged to their face that were either too red or too pale for their skin tone.
Then; the lipstick. They went with the red lipstick. The lipstick overlapped from their lips to their skin until they were left with a bumpy, shoddily applied red coating their lips.
The only thing that could save the day was the mascara. Their eyelashes were coated, and came off being longer. Much to Andy's shagrin, the mascara was hardly noticeable.
Even with it being the best application, tiny dots of black which stemmed from the mascara hit their upper eyes.
Andy looked into the mirror to see an object of horror. Although recognizable who was behind the mask, it was a hard sight.
Yet, the tiniest twinge of pride overcame them. It was their first time trying and not all that bad. But they simply couldn't avoid how bad it looked at first.
Andy heard their roommate walking throughout the house and sighed. They grabbed the towel and cleaned their face.
//Then nothing came off.//
The towel was soaked in water before being applied directly on their face. They panicked, scrubbing as hard as they could to get it off.
//It was water resistant. All of it was!//
They glanced into the mirror, seeing the makeup merely smudge on their face without coming off.
Their roommate would certainly notice if they saw. They would notice, and they would //judge//. Especially for how bad the makeup was.
Andy jumped into the shower and turned on the water. It was still freezing cold, and it remained freezing for the rest of the shower.
When they finished, they dried off their face and looked into the mirror.
Remnants of the makeup stayed, but they were more discrete. Much of their eyeliner and lipstick had washed off. All that remained was a hardly-noticeable shadow of the makeup they had just tried to apply.
As the bathroom door unlocked, they saw their roommate.
They were concise and told the roommate that they planned to move out soon.
The roommate asked why.
Andy told them why.
The roommate asked what day.
Andy said that they did not know.
The roommate confirmed that Andy was leaving the house.
And Andy affirmed them.
Then the roommate wished them well, and thanked them for letting them know.
And that was it. Andy walked into their room and picked up their phone.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Quint
----
[[/=]]
[[>]]
> I can move in with you if you're still looking for someone.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> cool
[[/<]]
[[>]]
>Text me the details.
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
Andy set down their phone. After around eleven minutes, they stood up to turn off the light before they headed back to bed.
They sighed.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
> || 🔍︎ Search the web ||
.....
.....
.....
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> || 🔍︎ Common signs of gender dysphoria? ||
[[/=]]
[[/div]]
The car trunk opened and a six-pack of beer was taken from it. The beer is handed to Quint, who shoves the six-pack into their backpack.
The pair follow a trail into the woods just into the Rockies.
After roughly seventeen minutes, the pair arrived at a clearing slightly off-trail. Quint took out a blanket to place on the grass while Andy kicked off their shoes and felt the blades of grass beneath their toes.
Two bottles of beer were popped.
"Feels like forever since we've hung out, huh?"
"It's been a while."
"Especially since we've gone out here."
"We should come out here more. It's really pretty."
"In a few weeks?"
"Sure."
"Alright."
...
"Thank you for offering me the apartment."
"You're good."
"I did not vibe well with my roommate, to be honest."
"I'll miss mine. But, we didn't really talk."
"My roommate stole an energy drink after I specifically confronted them to not."
"Geez."
"I know, right?"
Andy grabbed a second bottle of beer.
"Have you told your mom yet?"
"Hell no?"
"Fair enough."
The duo leaned back in near-unison to see the stars. While Andy had moved to lay on the blanket, Quint decided to lay on the grass, at least briefly.
The pair stared into the stars for thirty-one minutes all while sipping their beers.
At a point during the night, Andy had grabbed a third beer. By the time they were back in the car, the bottle was empty. The bottle Quint had nursed was thrown away in a trash can they found, still half-full.
As the pair entered the car, Quint turned on a light to search it.
"What are you looking for?"
"My keys."
"You know- you... you probably shouldn't just leave those in the car..."
"Heh. Probably."
The search effort is joined by Andy. After a minute, the pair briefly lock eyes.
"Andy."
"Yeah?"
"Are you wearing mascara?"
...
"No, no."
"Okay."
Quint discovered the key, put it in the ignition, then drove away.
A chuckle left Andy's lips and they closed their eyes, leaning against their seat and nearly falling asleep.
...
A key slid into the door, and it was opened.
"Let's get you into bed."
They practically had to drag Andy to their room where they opened a door, turned on a light, and eased Andy into bed. They helped Andy remove their shoes and tuck themselves under the sheets.
"I'm going to hang out here a minute- while I wait for a cab."
"No, no- no... Don't. You can just- just take my car and give it to me tomorrow."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah, yeah. Yeah... Just have a good night."
"Sleep tight."
The keys to Andy's car slides into Quint's pocket.
Right as they reached the door, they turned to shut off the light.
Then something caught their eye.
//Blush,//
//Eyeliner,//
//Red Lipstick,//
//Black Lipstick,//
//Mascara,//
//and Nail Polish.//
All neatly packed into the corner.
They picked up one of the nail polish bottles, at which point they confirmed that it was the exact same as they had given to Andy.
The cap of the lipstick popped off, and it was clearly used. Smeared in only a way that application, rough application, could do.
They approached Andy to look at their eyes and confirm that they were wearing mascara. With the confirmation, Quint left the room while they shut off the light behind them.
"Best of dreams."
...
Two potatoes. Both were washed as they had decided to make a scaled-down version of the recipe for lunch, and likely dinner/breakfast.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Quint
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Andy:** Yeah?
**Quint:** Hey. You feeling good?
**Andy:** Yeah. Why?
**Quint:** Just wondering. You passed out pretty quickly last night. Wanted to make sure you weren't hungover or anything.
**Andy:** Thanks. But, I'm okay.
**Quint:** Good, good. What are you doing right now?
**Andy:** Cooking.
**Quint:** Ah.
**Andy:** What are you up to?
**Quint:** Just kinda bored.
**Andy:** Mhm?
**Quint:** Have you thought about what you're going to give your mom for Christmas?
**Andy:** Yeah. I'm getting her a camera so that she can see some of the wildlife. She's been asking for that for a while.
**Quint:** Anything else?
**Andy:** A few stocking stuffers.
**Quint:** Like?
**Andy:** Socks. And maybe a candle or two, although I'd probably buy those in Pennsylvania.
**Quint:** And that's it?
**Andy:** Yep.
**Quint:** What about other friends? What other gifts have you gotten them?
**Andy:** Why are you asking about that?
**Quint:** Still have a few friends I need to get stuff for, but I'm out of ideas.
**Andy:** Ah.
**Quint:** Well?
**Andy:** Mostly just alcohol or clothes. I got my sister a stereo. And I bought a necklace I think my Aunt will like.
**Quint:** I guess I can't ask what you're getting me.
**Andy:** Who says I'm getting you anything?
**Quint:** You're right! I didn't think of that.
**Andy:** But - your thing still hasn't arrived yet. It probably won't until after I'm gone.
**Quint:** Ah.
**Andy:** But yeah. Hope that helps.
**Quint:** By the way - I'm driving over to your house to give back your car.
**Andy:** Shit, yeah. Thanks. Forgot about that.
**Quint:** Really?
**Andy:** No.
**Quint:** Hah.
**Andy:** Thanks.
**Quint:** I'll be there in about five.
[[/div]]
First chopped, then diced,then sliced. All of the ingredients were prepared.
Then came a force which knocked at their door.
"Hey.."
"Hey. Want to come in and get a drink?"
"I'll pass."
"All cool."
"Just need you to drive me back."
"Of course."
...
"Your car was low on gas so I filled it on the way over."
"..."
"I filled it with regular."
"Don't do that. I mean- fill my tank. I can do it myself."
"I couldn't have gotten there regardless. Might as well of filled it."
"I'll repay you for it when I get back."
"Don't worry about it."
They park in front of Quint's apartment.
"Last night - when I was helping you get into your room, I remember how organized some of it was."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Pretty tidy."
"I don't... Really think so, but okay."
"Then I saw something; in the corner on your desk. I looked at it. It was makeup. Lipstick, mascara, eyeliner. All of that."
...
"And the lipstick was used."
...
"Andy?"
...
"Are you trans-"
"Why the fuck were you looking through my shit?"
"I was-"
"//No,// no. Why the fuck did you think it was okay to look through my stuff?"
"I assumed that they were Christmas presents and looked at them."
"By opening them?!"
"Andy-"
"Get the fuck out of my car."
"Were those for you?"
"No, matter of fact. Those were for my Aunt. Thanks for opening them, by the way!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just saw you wearing mascara last night and I thought-"
"Jesus fucking Christ. I was not fucking wearing mascara."
"Yes you were! I saw you wearing it."
"I told you to get out of my car."
In a rush, Quint unbuckled their seatbelt and left the car.
"Andy-"
"Close the door."
"You can tell me-"
"I am not telling you shit that isn't true about me."
"I won't judge you for it."
"Really? Really?! Great! That's great. Close the fucking door.
The door is shut and Andy sped away.
...
They let out a scream, a pained scream. Their roommate didn't bother to check in on them.
In the kitchen, Andy tried to continue.
They heated up their Dutch oven and threw in the butter, which quickly turned to a brownish-black. The leeks varied, but all smoked and charred by the end. //In exactly four minutes under heat.//
Then they thought.
[[=]]
**What did Quint know? Really.**
**Was Quint in the wrong? Hell, //of course they were.//**
**Breaking into Andy's room like that... And then looking through their stuff?**
[[/=]]
At least the potatoes did not burn. Although Andy couldn't claim them to be cooked.
When the stock was added, it boiled over.
When Andy tried to check the potatoes with a fork, the tongs snapped off.
Andy turned off the burner and ran to the restroom. They pulled on the nozzle and waited for it to heat. After six minutes, they stepped in.
//And the water was freezing cold.//
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
----
+++ Boarding Pass
----
[[/=]]
||~ Flight ||~ Date ||~ Origin ||~ Destination ||~ Seat||
|| 211 || 21/DEC/2023 || Denver, CO || Philladelphia, PA || 30C ||
**Departure:** 07:30
**Passenger Name:** Andy Clarke
[[/div]]
"Oh, Andy! Come on in. The door is unlocked."
They opened the door.
"Could you possibly help me up from my chair?"
"Of course."
Their mother was lifted from the chair. She gave Andy a hug.
"How have you been? How was the flight?"
"Good, good. It was all good."
"I can whip up a soup if you'd like."
"That'd be great."
"A little taste of home. Well, guess you are at home. Hah!"
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
----
++++ Potato Leek Soup
----
[[/=]]
+++ Ingredients:
* 2 Large Leeks
* 2 Cloves of Garlic
* 6 Large Potatos
* 2 Tbsp Salted Butter
* 2 Teaspoons of Salt
* 1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
* 1 Cup of Cream
* 6 Cups of Chicken Broth/Stock
* 1 Sprig of Thyme
* 2 Bay Leaves
* 1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
----
+++ Preparation:
Cut your leeks at the root end and halfway up the greens and chop each leek in half. Thoroughly wash between each and every layer of the leeks, as they will have plenty of dirt trapped within. Chop your leeks. Peel both cloves of garlic and crush.
Peel, then dice your potatos and let them sit in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes.
----
+++ Cooking
In a Dutch oven, throw in your butter and let melt at high heat. Then, add crushed cloves of garlic and your chopped leeks and let simmer for approximately 3 minutes at medium heat. Add in your potatos and let simmer for a further minute. Then add in your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in all of your chicken broth/stock. Increase the temp to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and add your thyme and bay leaves. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, try to pierce the potatoes with a fork. If you can pierce them with no resistance, turn off the heat. Fish out the bay leaves, and mash the soup. After fully mashed, add the whole cup of cream to the soup and mix.
Enjoy!
[[>]]
- Clarke Family Recipe
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
All the same...
The potato leek soup tasted the same. It didn't taste like how Andy remembered it. They at the very least felt a twinge of validation, but still were dismayed.
Dismayed at how they could hate their favorite dish.
They tried to finish the soup. They tried very, very hard. But they couldn't finish it. Despite all of their efforts, it was too much.
Andy tried to drink water to cleanse their stomach, which only caused it to ache further.
"Do you like it?"
"Yep. Same as ever."
"We've got to teach you how to make it - while you're here."
"Sure. Sometime."
Their mother stands and leaves the room.
"Mom?"
She returns with a wrapped, rectangular box.
"Remember when I used to let you open one present early every Christmas? Well, I picked out this one for you!"
"Heh. Thanks."
They unwrapped the present. Inside sat a framed photograph of Andy.
[[=]]
//Their hair was shorter.//
//They were still trying to grow some sort of goatee.//
//They had very visible muscles, remembering how much they used to work out.//
[[/=]]
"It was taken a few weeks before graduation."
They nodded.
"Do you like it?"
"Yeah. Of course. Thank you."
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Aunt Shelley
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Shelley:** Merry Christmas!
**Andy:** Merry Christmas.
**Shelley:** Sorry for how late it is. Was celebrating with the wife and kids and everything.
**Andy:** How are they all hanging up?
**Shelley:** She's doing great. Cole was talking the other day about how they hate their birthday being so close to Christmas.
**Andy:** Hah.
**Shelley:** You have a good day?
**Andy:** Yeah. Mostly just spend it with Mom.
**Shelley:** Ah. You're in Dallaston right now?
**Andy:** Yep.
**Shelley:** Nice. You get anything you wanted?
**Andy:** Didn't really ask for much.
**Shelley:** What did you get?
**Andy:** A book and a picture of me when I just about graduated high school.
**Shelley:** Neat.
**Andy:** Yeah...
**Shelley:** Is it just you and your mom there?
**Andy:** Yep. I can go downstairs to put her on if you-
**Shelley:** That's okay.
...
**Shelley:** What about college? How's this year gone so far.
**Andy:** It's been going good. I only got a //92.4%// on one of my tests the other day.
**Shelley:** Slacking behind, I see.
**Andy:** Yeah. I'll have to drop out at that rate.
**Shelley:** What about your apartment? How's that working out?
**Andy:** Eh.
**Shelley:** Do you like it?
**Andy:** I mean - I like it. Just I don't really like my roommate.
**Shelley:** Ah.
**Andy:** But I did start talking with another one of my friends about moving in with them.
**Shelley:** Who are they?
**Andy:** A person named Quint. You wouldn't know them.
**Shelley:** And you think you two'd be good roommates.
**Andy:** Yeah.
...
**Andy:** To be completely honest, I don't know if it's still going to happen.
**Shelley:** Oh? Why?
**Andy:** Me and Quint- we got in a bit of an argument before. A bad argument, actually.
**Shelley:** What happened.
**Andy:** They- One night, I was drunk. Then they drove me home and helped me get in bed while I was passing out. When I did pass out, they looked through some of my stuff. When I found out about it, I got pissed off and yelled at them.
**Shelley:** Oh.
**Andy:** And now they've been trying to call me and text me, but I honestly have no idea how I'll respond to it.
**Shelley:** What were they looking through?
**Andy:** Just stuff on my desk. I guess they thought it might be a gift? Or something?
**Shelley:** I mean, it doesn't even matter. They shouldn't have been looking through your stuff without your approval.
**Andy:** Yeah, I'm just- kinda regretting how I lashed out at them. You know?
**Shelley:** In all honesty, I don't see why you wouldn't have any right to.
**Andy:** Uh huh?
**Shelley:** I mean- I don't know the specifics. But, if I may, I just want to say that you shouldn't beat yourself up over it.
**Andy:** Yeah. I just don't feel good about ghosting them.
**Shelley:** Fair enough.
**Andy:** I don't know if I'm going to do anything until I head back.
**Shelley:** Yeah.
**Andy:** Thanks for the call, though.
**Shelley:** Merry Christmas!
**Andy:** Happy holidays.
[[/div]]
[[=]]
Tuesday.
December 26th, 2023.
10:53 P.M.
[[/=]]
They stared at the alarm and watched as the seconds, then minutes passed. It had been thirty minutes since Andy had tried to start falling asleep. Their plane was set to leave next morning and they wanted any small amount of sleep.
But their curtain was broken, as it had always been. Light shone directly on their face.
Andy wondered what awaited them when they returned. After all, Quint was convinced of something that flat out wasn't true. Something that Andy was not.
...
Although the makeup was suspicious. Obviously Quint shouldn't of looked, but Andy...
...stood up and tried to yank the curtain close. Doing so saw barely anything change as moonlight still flooded the room.
They crawled back into bed then covered themself in sheets.
//What about their mother?// She had been in bad health for such a long time, Andy considered. They knew she wouldn't be around forever. If Andy ever wanted to tell her something that they'd regret not letting her know, they'd have to say it soon.
Fortunately, //there was absolutely nothing that Andy needed to say.//
Aside from them starting to wear nail polish. Although they wouldn't really feel bad over not telling them that.
//But what about the mascara? They'd been wearing that almost every day before they left.//
And the //lipstick.//
And the //blush.//
And the //eyeliner.//
But they reasoned that they had only tried those things once and immediately washed them off.
//Only because their roommate was there. What if they were alone? Would they still have washed it off so quickly?//
Even then, they were all just minor things to Andy. Stylistic things that weren't exactly major secrets...
But-
[[=]]
++++ ##cyan|What## ##pink|if## ##silver|Quint## ##pink|was## ##cyan|right?##
[[/=]]
...
They stormed out of their bed to the curtain and grabbed both sides of it. Andy slammed together both curtains with such forced that the curtain rod was knocked off of the wall. It fell to the ground.
They sighed and leaned to pick up the curtain. Before they put it back, Andy stared out the window.
And then they opened it.
They inhaled the cool, crisp air as it rushed past them. It wasn't too cold for a winter's night. They looked down at a field just a bit below them.
With a second thought, Andy adorned a jacket and moved downstairs.
...
They walked through the field. Snow crunched under each footstep. It took effort to avoid the tangled amalgamation of roots and dead plants while making their way through the field.
But, they made it. A small clearing where they begun to breathe what felt like the freshest air they had in years. Only two sounds were heard, Andy's breaths and the gentle breeze of the wind.
They looked up into the sky. Fifty-seven stars littered it. A burning fire that shone all the way across the universe just so Andy could glimpse it.
They sat on the ground. Their coat was waterproof, allowing them to have some protection.
Then they zoned out and enjoyed the cosmos. When they returned, they had no idea how much time they had lost.
...
They were terrified. Terrified of the repercussions of it, of what it would mean if it were true.
Their whole life - everything they have had up until a few months prior, wasn't what they were.
And what if they did tell their mother? What if they were disowned? What if their mother spent the last few months of her life hating her-
-hating them.
They shiverred. It was cold. They knew it was time for them to go back.
They stood, feeling that snow had gotten through their coat. Somehow.
At the icy porch, Andy took careful steps to avoid slipping. Then, before entering the house, they turned back to the field. All fifty-seven stairs were still beautiful in the night sky.
They sat at the porch.
Then, they thought. Thought for a long while. About Aunt Shelley and how she was cut off by her- their mother.
Well, it wasn't //really// being cut off. They didn't meet, didn't talk that much. But they still talked occasionally. Still were friendly. Just... strained.
And Andy didn't want that. They really, really did not want that. Despite everything, despite all of the stress, Andy did not want to lose their mother early. They really didn't.
They stood and entered the house, letting the warmth inside melt away any cool temperatures they had been in.
And the house was just as cold.
Up the stairs they went, entering their room and seeing their curtain-less window.
They stopped in front of the window, staring out of it once more.
Then they opened the window.
Andy didn't know where to start. They were afraid. If it wasn't real, it would have already fallen apart. At any point over the months where Andy tried to prevent it.
Even then, they tried to rationalize their fear. That it wouldn't be all too bad. But, they knew it would be hard going forward. They knew that there was a good chance they'd be beaten down at any turn. They knew that throughout the rest of their life, they'd fight an uphill battle that they could likely never win.
And Andy accepted that. They would have to be ready to face it one day. Mayble not day one, but they had to get ready to face what would happen if such a truth were ever revealed.
She closed the window, left the curtain open, and walked to bed.
Tucked into the sheets, she let her eyes close, and drifted off to sleep.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
||~ Flight ||~ Date ||~ Origin ||~ Destination ||~ Seat||
|| 202 || 27/DEC/2023 || Pittsburgh, PA || Denver, CO || 3C ||
**Departure:** 06:30
**Passenger Name:** Andy Clarke
[[/div]]
[[=]]
December 31,
2023
23:36
----
[[/=]]
She stared into the mirror. She had been staring into it for a few minutes. It dawned on Andy's mind that she hadn't shaved ever since she had gotten back from Pennsylvania.
Whatever little hair she had on her head, she pulled back and tucked behind her ears. Shaving cream lathered her face and she grabbed a razor, using it with precision to cut every single strand of hair off of her face.
//Yet she hated how gritty her face felt as she rubbed her hands against it.//
So she shaved it again.
And a third time.
Until it felt /just a little bit// smoother.
And that was all she felt she could do. When she moved to clean up, she saw her arms.
Her hairy, horrendous arms.
The sleeves on her arms were pulled up until they resembled a tank top. She slathered her left arm with shaving cream, then pressed her razor against it.
...
She was done. Both arms. Where they were hairy and irritating, now they felt smooth. She had to put toilet paper on the spots of her arms where she nicked herself
The couch cushioned her fall as she leaned back against it. Her roommate had gone to party, as most people likely had. But she decided to stay home.
Her laptop opened, and she began to play //The Thing//.
[[=]]
----
December 31,
2023
23:55
----
[[/=]]
Andy took out her phone. She saw 53 missed calls from Quint, and nearly 83 missed texts.
A sigh left their mouth, looking at the clock. She paused the movie, and called Quint.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Quint
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Quint:** Andy?
...
**Quint:** Andy?!
...
**Quint:** Andy, are you there?
**Andy:** Yeah.
**Quint:** Oh my god. Thank god. Okay. Are you okay?
**Andy:** Yeah.
**Quint:** How- I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.
...
**Quint:** I'm really sorry about looking through your- the makeup that was on your desk. I shouldn't- I should have just left after I dropped you off, you know.
...
**Quint:** I just, guess that I saw my nail polish and jumped to conclusions. I don't think- I didn't think. I wasn't thinking about it. You know?
**Andy:** Yeah.
**Quint:** I'm really, really sorry.
**Andy:** You are?
**Quint:** Yeah. I've been thinking about it; what I could have done. Ever since.
...
**Quint:** Have you been in Pennsylvania this whole time?
**Andy:** I got back a few days ago.
**Quint:** Have you seen my calls?
**Andy:** Yeah. I'm sorry.
**Quint:** No- it's okay. I get it.
**Andy:** Uh huh?
**Quint:** I've just been worried.
**Andy:** Where are you right now?
**Quint:** At my apartment. Alone. Didn't really feel like partying.
**Andy:** Yeah. Same here.
...
**Quint:** Look, what I said- What I thought... I don't know what I'm trying to say right now. I guess I put together the nail polish and the mascara; thought that it was for you. That there was some part of you that you were hiding. And I wanted to support you if you were hiding it. I just didn't think it through.
...
**Quint:** So I'm sorry.
...
**Quint:** I really am.
...
**Quint:** I understand if you don't forgive this - if you don't want to move in anymore.
...
**Quint:** I just want to apologize for it.
...
**Andy:** I was also thinking about it. I thought about it a lot up until I left.
...
**Andy:** I also called my Aunt for the first time in a while during Christmas. It was nice. I got to chat with her, catch up with her.
...
**Andy:** I think that was the second calmest moment of my trip. There was this night that was beautiful, and I mean really pretty. It wasn't that cold, the clouds were gone, and it was quiet. I guess the best part about Appalachia is how there aren't many lights around there.
...
**Andy:** I remember stargazing for a while that night. Wasn't that what we did? The night before I went? Got drunk and stared at the sky.
...
**Andy:** And then I just thought.
...
**Andy:** Nearly dozed off to sleep, too.
...
**Andy:** You there?
**Quint:** Yeah.
**Andy:** I don't think I'm a man. I don't think it is right for me to be a man anymore.
**Quint:** Do you think you're trans? Or non-binary?
**Andy:** I don't know. I would feel better - or at least think I would feel better - if I was a woman. But I don't think I'll ever come close to that, truly. So I don't know what I am realistically going to be, or are realistically.
...
**Andy:** I'm sorry for lashing out. I still- stand by what I said. Well, some of it. I'm still mad that you looked at my stuff when I was drunk. But, I think that I lashed out for the wrong reason. I was just... angry, I guess? At the idea that I was trans.
**Quint:** I'm sorry.
**Andy:** Yeah. I'm still willing to move in, if you are.
**Quint:** Of course I am.
**Andy:** Really?
**Quint:** Yep.
**Andy:** Thank you. It means the world to me.
**Quint:** And you moving in with me, too.
...
**Andy:** Fireworks are going to go off soon.
**Quint:** Yeah.
...
**Quint:** What do you want me to call you?
**Andy:** What?
**Quint:** Like, your name. Your pronouns. What do you want me to call you?
**Andy:** You know-
...
**Andy:** I don't think that I've thought about it.
**Quint:** I can use gender-neutral stuff, for now. If you would like.
**Andy:** I wouldn't mind being called she/her, at least for now.
**Quint:** Are you sure?
**Andy:** Yep.
**Quint:** Okay.
...
**Andy:** Thank you.
**Quint:** Of course.
**Andy:** I'm going to hang up.
**Quint:** Alright.
**Andy:** Talk soon. Bye.
**Quint:** Bye.
[[/div]]
A minute passed.
Then, the fireworks went off. Andy stood up, looking around to make sure all of her windows were closed. She hated the smell of smoke. Andy lit a candle before returning to her couch.
Andy pressed space, and resumed her movie.
[[=]]
----
January 1,
2024
00:02 A.M.
----
[[/=]]
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
[[=]]
----
Febuary 25,
2024
11:42 A.M.
----
[[/=]]
The car parked on the curb, only a few dozen feet away from Quint's apartment.
The weather app had told her that it would be foggy in the morning. Bright beams of sunshine shone into her car directly on her face, taunting her.
From her backpack, Andy produced a handmirror. Checking her makeup, it dawned on her that whatever little makeup she had on was rushed and shoddy.
Much like before, her lipstick veered away from the track of her lips, her eyeliner was shaky, and she could easily point out how different the blush was to her skin color. Hell, even her nails seemed off. She felt them, noticing bumps and uneven application.
Two whole hours had been spent to apply the makeup just to make it look presentable. Not good, not decent, but presentable!
All so she could make a thirty-one-second walk to Quint's house and not be noticed.
It was in vain, a stupid idea. She slammed her head back against her seat.
The longer she stayed in the car the more likely it would be for more people to notice.
She left and practically ran to Quint's door.
Her clothes didn't match, either. Black cargo pants, a white long-sleeved undershirt, and a green branded t-shirt. They didn't match with her makeup. Anybody would instantly think that she was a boy pretending to be-
She arrived at the door. Time slowed, every movement became heavy. Every breath she took was forced. A knock barely left her hand before she froze, feeling minutes pass.
Then the door opened.
Quing lunged at Andy with a hug.
"Hey Andy! How was the trip."
Through the pressure on her lungs, she spoke.
"Good."
"I like your makeup."
All of the pressure, all at once, faded.
"Thank you."
"How much do you have to unpack?"
"A bit."
"Well, let's go, then."
The duo spent three hours to empty Andy's car and make trips to Andy's old apartment.
It took two trips back to Andy's apartment to get everything.
The last item the pair got was a Dutch oven. Andy had contemplated not bringing it, to just leave it behind. But they knew they had to keep it.
She left the car and slowly carried the Dutch oven. She had to keep a slower pace to avoid dropping it. After two minutes, she arrived at her apartment door and brought the Dutch oven in with her.
...
Andy awoke. She turned over, and grabbed her phone. She checked the time.
//April 7, 4:37 A.M.//
She leaned back against her pillow. Her alarm wasn't supposed to go off until eight. Andy closed her eyes, trying to go back to sleep. After eleven minutes, she opened her eyes.
Andy rolled out of her bed. She stretched, letting out a yawn as she grabbed a glass on her nightstand. She drank out of it, quickly finding it empty. Andy began to hobble to the kitchen.
Andy took out her ice tray. She popped out three ice cubes, plopping them in the glass. She then went to the sink and filled her cup with tap water.
Andy took out her phone.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
----
[[/=]]
[[>]]
> I got a new apartment
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> ?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> with quint
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> When was this?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> yesterday
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Why didn't you tell me about this?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> it was about the same as my current rent. a bit less, actually
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Okay. But why didn't you let me know?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> i didnt think that it changed much
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Honey... You should have let me help you...
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> with?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Scouting for houses?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> we didnt really do that. quint's roommate already lived in the house for a while before now. their roommate just recently dropped out
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Well you could have called to let me help you move in. Have you decorated yet?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> No.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Aw.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> And you're saying that you would have come over?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Maybe. I mean, I've wanted to visit for a while. You know?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> uh huh?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Send me pictures of the house.
[[/<]]
[[=]]
...
...
...
[[/=]]
[[<]]
> Honey...
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> What?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> That house is not a good house. I can tell you that.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Why?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> It looks plain, empty. Even dull.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> Me and Quint are going to work on decorating soon.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> The paint is a weird color, too. I'm also not sure that I like how the counter looks.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> seriously?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> You should have asked me first before moving. Honestly, I think your old place was a better apartment.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> and I also hated my roommate.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Well, if you wanted to move in with Quint so much, you both should have found someplace else.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> no.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> What?
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> me and Quint both like this house. we're going to stay in it.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Honey...
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> literally not a cent of your money is going toward paying my rent. so I don't think you really have any ground to comment on what house I choose to rent.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> The decision is always up to you, yes. I'm just saying that as your mother I know things about living that make big impacts.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> such as a house feeling empty?
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Yes, actually. It contributes to how other people percieve you.
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> i'm not doing this.
[[/>]]
[[<]]
> Darling...
[[/<]]
[[>]]
> it is my house, and I can live wherever the fuck I want.
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
Dozens of texts followed. All from her mom, all angry. Some telling her off for having cussed. Some for being ungrateful. Some for not talking to her anymore. Some saying that Andy hated her. Some which claimed that Andy never wanted to visit.
And then there was one question to top it all off.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
----
[[/=]]
[[<]]
> Do you even really love me?
[[/<]]
[[/div]]
She didn't respond to it. She had no idea how to.
At least her mother cooled down after she sent it, which meant it was the last message in their conversation.
So it lingered.
.....
....
...
..
.
Two hands wrapped around Andy in a hug. A head rested on her right shoulder. She felt a form lean against her back.
"It's early for you to be up."
Whispered a groggy, half-asleep voice.
"Yeah."
"Mm. You should get back to bed."
"Couldn't sleep."
"Since we went to bed?"
"No. Just for a half-hour."
"Ah."
"I'll try to get back to bed soon."
"You should."
"And you should get ready for work."
"Yeah..."
...
"I could tuck back in with you. The alarm isn't going off for another hour."
"If you really insist-"
The duo walks back to their bed.
...
[[div class="blockquote"]]
//**I got called into work.//**
//**I'll be back around midnight. It's a closing shift.//**
[[>]]
----
- //Quint//
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
Andy picked up a pill bottle.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++ SPIRONOLACTONE
++ TABLETS, USP
[[/=]]
----
[[=]]
> 25 mg
[[/=]]
[[>]]
30 Tablets
Taken Daily
Rx Only
[[/>]]
----
Each film coated tablet contains 25 mn of spironolactone, USP.
**Usual Dosage:** (See package)
Store at 20° - 25° C
[See USP controlled room temperature]
[[size 125%]] **STORE AWAY FROM LIGHT** [[/size]]
**KEEP THIS, AND ALL OTHER, DRUGS AWAY FROM ALL CHILDREN AT ALL MOMENTS**
[[/div]]
Andy took a pill. She placed it in her mouth and downed it with a glass of water.
As she stared out of her kitchen window. She stretched out her hand, moving aside the vines of all three of her Golden Pothos plants.
The sun began to set. An orange hue sprayed with magenta was overtaking the Rocky Mountain skyline. Andy wanted to drive out to see it. She took out her phone to text Quint. She wanted to ask them if they wanted to drive into the mountains.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
----
[[/=]]
[[>]]
> Have you even loved me at all over the past few years?
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
It lingered. Even as Andy tried to look away from it.
All of the days where she ignored the text, pushing it to the delves of the deepest reaches of her minds; all of them came back at once. She felt an urge, an insistence to respond.
And so Andy called her mother.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
//**I'm at the reservoir.//**
//**You know the spot. I'll be there for a few hours.//**
//**I took a taxi.//**
//**If you want, feel free to join me. I don't mind. I have rum with me.//**
//**Feel free to take our car.//**
-----
[[>]]
- //Andy//
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
They entered the clearing and spotted a form laying on the ground. With a second to take a deep breath, they approached the form and stood over it.
"Quint! My man. How's it going?"
"Going good."
They sit next to Andy.
"Bring a towel?"
"Nope! Forgot one."
Andy gives a bottle to Quint.
"What's this?"
"Rum. Take it."
"Thanks."
"I've been nursing my own for a while. There is a third bottle if either of us finish ours early."
"I see."
...
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I don't know. Just stargazing in the middle of the night at three A.M. when you have work the next day."
"It's a closing shift. I can stay up late."
"Well have the stars been good tonight?"
"Nope. Been cloudy ever since I got here."
"..."
"What?"
"Aren't you cold?"
"It isn't winter anymore. I mean, we can head back if you want to. That'd be fine."
"No, it's fine."
...
"How was work?"
"Hectic."
"That sucks."
"Some festival was going on and two guys called out sick. So they called me in to close for both of them."
"Ouch."
"So I didn't get out until around two A.M. - also sorry I didn't see your note earlier."
"It's good."
"How long have you been here?"
"Since six."
"Jesus Christ, Andy."
"What?"
"We need to get you home. You've been here seven hours."
"In a bit."
"How long is a bit?"
"I want to see the sun rise. Maybe in an hour? If that is fine with you."
"Of course it is."
"Thank you."
...
"What's on your mind? Seriously."
"Nothing."
"Is it the androgen blockers?"
"No, well. Sorta."
"What is it?"
"I called my mother the other day. After me and her argued over text."
[[=]]
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
[[/=]]
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
++++ Mom
+++++ Phone Call Record
----
[[/=]]
**Susan:** How long have you thought that?
**Andy:** A few months.
**Susan:** Have you told anyone?
**Andy:** Just Quint so far. And now, you.
**Susan:** Not your Aunt Shelley?
**Andy:** No.
**Susan:** Jesus. Andy- why didn't you tell me?
**Andy:** I don't know.
**Susan:** You don't know?
**Andy:** I just-
**Susan:** So you're telling me that you didn't think to approach your mother about this?!
**Andy:** Mom, I-
**Susan:** No, I mean. That clearly shows that you didn't think this through that well.
**Andy:** Oh my god...
**Susan:** We need to talk this over a bit. You know, make sure that you've figured it out-
**Andy:** No.
**Susan:** What did you say to me?
**Andy:** I'm saying, no.
**Susan:** No?
**Andy:** I've already thought this through. I've figured it out since December - nearly half a year now. I was thinking about it for a long time before that. It isn't getting that much more thought through.
**Susan:** You figured it out in December?
**Andy:** Yeah.
**Susan:** Did you figure it out before or after you visited?
**Andy:** During.
**Susan:** And you didn't think to even tell me-
**Andy:** I //did// think to tell you. I thought about it a lot. I was //scared// to tell you. I've been scared of it ever since.
**Susan:** Oh, sweetie...
**Andy:** Look- I didn't want any arguments. I didn't want to yell at each other. I didn't want to bring you on this around the holidays. This is right for me. It will make me happier.
**Susan:** So- so you're saying that you lied to me? For all of these months? Because what?! You don't trust me?
**Andy:** I didn't want to lose ties to you like Aunt Shelley did.
**Susan:** ...
**Andy:** ...
**Susan:** You're sure it will make you happy?
**Andy:** Yes.
**Susan:** I'm not entirely too sure I understand it, but-
**Andy:** ...
**Susan:** I guess you know what you're doing with it.
**Andy:** Thank you.
[[/div]]
A laugh left Andy's lips.
"You know- I honestly didn't expect her to react how she did."
...
"I thought it would go really, really bad. Disowning, all that stuff."
"But... It went well?"
"Yeah."
Quint hugs Andy.
"Are you okay? Be honest with me."
"I am, I am."
"You're sure?"
"I just-"
...
"I just needed a place to clear my head."
"Of course."
"I was so worried about how bad she'd react that I don't really know what to do now."
"You should lay down. Clear your head, look in the sky some more. There is time to figure that out later."
"When?"
"What?"
"When is that time?"
"I don't know."
"That's why I was thinking. Just thinking about how much my life is going to fucking suck now."
...
"And I only mean that as a half-joke, too!"
"Andy..."
"No, it's like- fucking living my life how I want to live is going to be so hard. People out there are actively judging me, trying to kill people like me. I would say that I can't be caught dead going to a place like West Virginia, but if I did go there is a good chance I would be!"
"I know."
"You do?"
"Yes, I do."
"Do you know how it feels every time I take a shower, or a bath, or change and I just see a dick hanging between my legs? Just- every morning I have to accept that it'll be there. And that if I want to remove that one, disgusting part of my body I'll have to go nearly into debt to possibly pay for a surgery that will only give me a //replication// of a vagina instead of the actual thing? All while people tell me I'm making a mistake and make me go through every hurdle and loop just to //possibly// get surgery that will make me feel just //a little// bit more like myself. And, hell - what if they're right about me making a mistake? What if I just...
"We've all gone through that, Andy. When I was figuring out some rough stuff about myself, I questioned every single day that I wore a binder, wore less makeup, styled my hair differently, eventually cut it off, and just every single piece of the journey."
"And you never regretted it?"
"Nope. Never did."
"What about your sister?"
"..."
"..."
"I love her. I really do love her. But she just doesn't see me as who I am. We yelled at each other and haven't spoken since. But despite all of that, I still don't regret me being who I am. I wouldn't take it back for a day."
...
"The clouds are starting to clear."
"Yeah."
"Shame the sun is coming up soon."
"What time is it?"
"Five twenty-seven A.M."
"Jesus. I should've made you come home sooner."
"Give me another half hour."
"Okay."
"Or, I could just sleep right here."
"I think it would be comfier at home."
"Really?"
"Mhm."
...
The sun rose and shone new light upon the entire day. The pair stood although both were exceptionally tired.
"Quint?"
"Yeah?"
"I honestly can't wait for Spring to kick into full gear."
...
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[>]]
2 mg / day
[[/>]]
----
Estradiol Transdermal System, USP
Rx Only
[[size 75%]] **Delivers 2 mg / day** [[/size]]
----
**Important:** Package //not// child-resistant. Keep out of reach of children. Consume immediately upon removal. Do not store outside of the initial package.
Store at 20° - 25° C (68° - 77° F)
[[/div]]
She took out a single pill and stared at it. This was it - the next step.
It was small. Small, white, and round. It barely left a gap between her index finger and thumb.
It was placed on the counter. She grabbed a glass and filled it with tap water from the faucet.
Then she downed the pill. That was it. No tears, no changes, nothing.
The pills are put away in a safe place.
Next came her moving to leave the kitchen. But a force pulled her back and brought her to the fridge
She took out the recipe for potato leek soup that her mother had given her.
She stared at it. She thought, she pondered. All of the emotions, the associations, and the failures.
How much the soup just //didn't taste right.//
Next came one last look at the recipe.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
----
++++ Potato Leek Soup
----
[[/=]]
+++ Ingredients:
* 2 Large Leeks
* 2 Cloves of Garlic
* ##5F6060|6 Large Potatos##
* ##5F6060|2 Tbsp Salted Butter##
* ##5F6060|2 Teaspoons of Salt##
* ##5F6060|1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper##
* ##5F6060|1 Cup of Cream##
* ##5F6060|6 Cups of Chicken Broth/Stock##
* ##5F6060|1 Sprig of Thyme##
* ##5F6060|2 Bay Leaves##
* ##5F6060|1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder##
----
+++ ##5F6060|Preparation:##
##C7C8CB|Cut your leeks at the root end and halfway up the greens ## ##BFC0C3|and chop each leek in half. Thoroughly wash between each and every layer of the leeks, as they will have plenty of dirt trapped within. Chop your leeks.
Peel both cloves of garlic and crush. Peel, then dice your potatos and let them sit in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes.##
----
+++ ##BFC0C3|Cooking##
##BFC0C3|In a Dutch oven, throw in your butter and let melt at high heat. Then, add crushed cloves of garlic and your chopped leeks and let simmer for approximately 3 minutes at medium heat. Add in your potatos## ##E9E9E9|and let simmer for a further minute. Then add in your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add in all of your chicken broth/stock. Increase the temp to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and add your thyme and bay leaves. Let simmer for 15 minutes.##
##E9E9E9|After 15 minutes, try to pierce the potatos with a fork. If you can pierce them with no resistance, turn off the heat. Fish out the bay leaves, and mash the soup. After fully mashed, add the whole cup of cream to the soup and mix.##
##transparent|Enjoy!##
[[>]]
##transparent|- Clarke Family Recipe##
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
She stared at a blank sheet of paper held in her hands. It clearly had some sort of use, being wrinked and worn. But she just couldn't remember why.
Something became a blank slate in her memory. An idea that she just couldn't remember.
So, with no use for a piece of paper that meant nothing to her, she tore it in half and threw it away.
Then she checked every ingredient in her kitchen. All of her cupboards, her fridge, her counter. She gathered everything she could.
And then, Andie began to experiment.
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[=]]
----
++++ Potato Leek Soup
----
[[/=]]
+++ Ingredients:
* Loaf of Sourdough Bread
* 6 oz of Salami
* 6 Leeks
* 6 Potatoes
* Chicken Broth/Stock
* 1 Cup of Cream
* 4 Cloves of Garlic
* Pepper
* Garlic Powder
* Onion Powder
* Cayenne Powder
* MSG
* Celery Salt
* Salt
* Brown Sugar
* 2 Bay Leaves
* 1 Sprig of Rosemary
----
+++ Tools:
* Dutch Oven/Soup Pot
* Spatula
* Ladle
* Cutting Board
* Knife
* Mixing Bowl
* Immersion Blender
----
+++ Preparation:
Place your cold pot on your stovetop. Do not turn on the heat.
Take the salami and cut into chunks. Peel and dice all six of your garlic cloves. Make sure that you have at least six cups of chicken broth/stock available, although have more ready if you can.
Slice off the root of your leeks. Then, cut your leeks once length-wise down the middle. Chop all of your leeks from the whites up until the greek stalks become dry. Place all of the chopped leeks in the mixing bowl, and bring them to the sink. Begin to fill the bowl with water as you use your hands to massage the chopped leeks, doing so to remove all of the dirt and sediment. Fill up to the top of the bowl with water. The leeks should float at the top of your bowl.
(Optionally peel your potatoes). Wash off your potatoes thoroughly to remove dirt and excess starch. Chop into small chunks.
----
+++ Cooking:
In your cold pot, place all of your diced salami. Make sure that there is no water or oil in the pot. Turn the temperature up to medium-high (As the temperature of the pot increases, fat will render out of the salami. This should produce enough fat to dually cook the salami and all other ingredients you need to fry before putting in stock. Any other fatty meat would work as a substitute.). Let simmer for 2 - 5 minutes, until a thin layer of fat covers the pot. Begin stirring salami after one minute.
After roughly a minute, add in your garlic. Let simmer for a further minute before removing the leeks from your bowl and place them into the pot (As said before, all of the leeks should float. Try to minimize the amount of water going into the pot. While some water is inevitable, putting in too much water with the leek will prevent the leeks from frying.).
**DO NOT** pour remaining water in the bowl down your sink. There should be visible amounts of sand and debris that sink down to the bottom of your bowl, which may be harmful for your drainage. The water is great to use for watering your plants. If not, simply pour the water outside.
Stir frequently and let simmer for around three more minutes. After the time has passed, add in your potatoes. Stir roughly twice a minute for three minutes. (Cooking the potatoes and leeks ahead of boiling them helps the entire dish cook faster, as well as giving them browning and flavor.)
When the potatoes are done simmering, add in enough chicken broth/stock. If you like thicker soups, make sure to add enough stock to just //barely// cover the other ingredients. If you like lighter soups, add in enough stock to cover the ingredients by one or two inches.
With the stock in, turn the temperature up to high. While the soup begins to boil, add in both bay leaves and a tablespoon of brown sugar (Brown sugar makes every recipe taste better). Frequently stir and scrape the bottom of the pot to avoid burning.
Once the soup has reached a boil, reduce the heat to low/medium-low and stir until the soup is reduced to a simmer. Let simmer for 15 - 30 minutes. Check your potatoes every 2 - 3 minutes starting at around ten minutes. Once your potatoes are easily piercable with a fork, they are ready.
Add in your seasonings. You can choose different seasonings depending on your personal taste preferences. If you choose to add both salt and celery salt, make sure to minimize the amount of standard salt you apply accordingly to how much celery salt you put in (I personally only put half as much salt in as I do celery salt).
Use your spatula to fish out both bay leaves. Add in your cup of cream. Add more or less cream depending on your desired coloration. No matter how much you add, let your cream simmer for a few minutes until it separates and a thin layer forms on the soup. This should also be accompanied by the soup thickening.
Turn off your heat and take out your immersion blender. Puree the soup to your desired consistency.
After you are done pureeing, add in your rosemary.
Serve the soup in a bowl with a side of sourdough bread. Rip off chunks of the sourdough and dip in the soup to eat.
Enjoy!
[[>]]
- Andie Clarke
[[/>]]
[[/div]]
[[footnoteblock]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-01T00:16:00 | [
"bittersweet",
"forgotten-memories",
"lgbtq",
"slice-of-life",
"tale"
] | Potato Leek Soup - SCP Foundation | 19 | [
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"forgotten-memories-hub",
"art-exchange-hub"
] | [] | 1458161714 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/potato-leek-soup |
|
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<div class="blockquote">
<p><strong>Item №:</strong> SCP-XXXX <tt>[PENDING CLASSIFICATION]</tt></p>
<p><strong>Object Class:</strong> Safe</p>
<p><strong>Special Containment Procedures:</strong> SCP-XXXX is to be stored at a low-risk object containment locker at <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Site-19</span> Site-43. Personnel handling SCP-XXXX are to notify the SCP-XXXX project lead, <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Senior Researcher Luca Armaros</span> Dr. Lilllian Lillihammer.</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> SCP-XXXX is a leather-bound tome attributed in authorship to Johan Huizinga, a Dutch historian and linguist, as well as <a href="/parker-informational-breach">suspected thaumaturge</a> and hermeneuticist. Its cover is bereft of any illustrations, save for the author's name and the title, which reads "Sprookjes" (<em>Fairy Tales</em> in Dutch).</p>
<p>SCP-XXXX's content matches the expectation given by its title; the 159-page tome is filled with illustrated Dutch fairy tales,<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup> all of which had been hand-written using ink. Analysis revealed the writing matches with that of Huizinga.</p>
<p>SCP-XXXX activates when a subject opens its first page. Upon coming into visual contact with it, the person interacting with the object will promptly cease to understand any languages other than Dutch (even if, before, they had no skills in Dutch at all). For the next two hours, the affected individual will be incapable of thinking, writing, and reading in any language but Dutch. After the two hour mark, the effect will cease, and the subject's linguistic skills will be returned to their basic state. The effects will remanifest upon further contact with SCP-XXXX.</p>
<p>SCP-XXXX was recovered during a raid on a <em>giftschreiber</em><sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup> outpost carried out by Mobile Task Force Rho-43 ("Home Invaders"), led by Dr. Lillian Lillihammer on 27/08/2024. Although the book bears no obvious markings identifying it as a <em>giftschreiber</em> artifact, it was nevertheless stored on-site alongside several other tomes of memetic nature, suggesting a connection between the object, its author, and the Group of Interest.</p>
<p>Further investigation into its properties as well as into the nature of its author is ongoing.</p>
</div>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>"Hmm."</p>
<p>"Hmm?"</p>
<p>"<em>Hrmm</em>," repeated Lillian Lillihammer, standing up and scratching her chin. "Yeah, this isn't going to work."</p>
<p><a href="/scp-8166">Luca Armaros</a> blinked twice, looking away from the tome in front of him and up, towards Lillian's towering figure. "What? Why not?"</p>
<p>"Because I <em>already know Dutch</em>, so it's as good as useless on me," she said, pacing around the table. Before he could ask, she added: "You pick it up after one too many days with Ilse."</p>
<p>He corrected his half-moon glasses. "Hold on, Lillian—"</p>
<p>"That's <em>doctor</em> Lillihammer."</p>
<p>"Apologies, <em>Doctor</em> Lillihammer. Heather told me you were the best of the best. That if anyone could make sense of it, you could. Am I to understand that she was wrong?"</p>
<p>She rolled her eyes, but vaguely smirked at the mention of her fiancée's name. It wasn't that she wasn't good enough to help Armaros; it was that this was an anomaly that simple to be worth her time. In a schedule as tight as hers — and as packed with saving the world from memetic doomsday cults — she didn't care to lose time with low-stakes drivel such as this. Not even as a break from her actually important work.</p>
<p>…But on the other hand, Heather had asked her to help Luca out.</p>
<p>She had asked her very, very nicely.</p>
<p>There weren't many people Lillian could tolerate — there were even less whose company she actively enjoyed. Heather Garrison, however, was as close as people could get to the latter category without quite literally being Lillian Lillihammer. She'd give her life to protect that woman, so she supposed that a week of her time wasn't too outrageous of an alternative. Besides: she knew Heather and Armaros went <a href="/the-legend-of-the-iron-goat">way back</a>. He might have been a dork of the more pathetic sort, but <em>he</em> was the one who saw something more in Heather than the glorified paper-pusher the Foundation's bureaucratic machine had appointed her as. He was the one who made her see the potential she had — the potential which, inevitably, brought her to Lillihammer's side.</p>
<p>"Ugh. Fine," she said, rubbing her eyes. "But don't expect miracles, archivist." She pointed her long finger directly in-between Luca's eyes. "I don't have the time to perform them for you."</p>
<p>"Thank you, I really—"</p>
<p>"Yes, yes, save your platitudes for when I'm done. In the meantime," she said, throwing Luca a folder with the relevant documentation. He caught it, but only barely. "Make yourself useful."</p>
<p>He raised an eyebrow.</p>
<p>"Huizinga isn't going to figure himself out himself. I need to know if the man was a <em>giftschreiber</em> or just a nerd."</p>
<p>"Well, all of my material is back at Site—"</p>
<p>She waved her hand. "That won't be necessary. I've already told a local friend of mine he'll be helping you. He knows his books, trust you me. Especially those whose words have been Poisoned." She turned towards the nearest file cabinet, already starting to browse through the gathered documents. "I'll send you a meme-free scan when I get the chance."</p>
<p>"I… I'm not sure if I'd be the greatest research partner? I, uh, like to talk a lot during—"</p>
<p>She turned back, eyed him up and down, then raised an eyebrow. "Harry hasn't had a single good thing to do since he's gotten married. Besides," she said, smirking, and shifting her attention once more towards something else. "With how much nonsense you both talk, I'm sure you two will get along just <em>swimmingly</em>."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[🜂]</p>
<p>Luca had been to Site-43 a few times before, in the long years that had passed since he'd first crossed paths with Heather.</p>
<p>Still: he never did get used to the layout.</p>
<p>All of his trips had been nothing but momentary transfers, more aimed at catching up with an old friend than actual scientific progress. In a field as seemingly insignificant to the Foundation's mission at large as his, the occasional tour was a privilege he could afford, but one he nevertheless remained ambivalent towards. Sure, actually talking with Heather was better than the occasional text they'd still send each other, but the facility was… well. Even for his standards, it was <em>weird</em>.</p>
<p>It was practically a tomb, with how deep it had been constructed; a tomb filled with esoteric waste and more esoteric legacies still. Its long, white corridors came together to form quite the labyrinth — one that Luca had trouble navigating even with the three subway lines connecting it together. The people, too, were far from the Foundation baseline he'd come to expect. Given his own condition, he recognized the irony of that thought, of course, but there were only so many janitors with personal mirror monsters or time-stuck researchers he could meet before starting to question his own sanity.</p>
<p>Still: when he had gotten the message some week ago that Sophia was briefly transferring him back to this place, he welcomed it as a good change of pace. Of course, it was nothing compared to the change of pace he had felt a few days prior when the apparently hermeneutic artifact he had been sent briefly turned him into a citizen of Utrecht in all but name, but it was at least something.</p>
<p><em>Maybe here they'll take my work as more than a curiosity</em>, he thought as he came to a sudden stop.</p>
<p>It took him nearly an hour of wandering through old abatement facilities and jam-packed common rooms, but he finally made it to his destination.</p>
<p>The lettering upon the heavy door in front of him simply read:</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<div class="blockquote">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3 id="toc0"><span>Dr. Harold R. Blank</span></h3>
<h5 id="toc1"><span>Archives and Revision, Chair</span></h5>
</div>
</div>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p>Well. That was that, then.</p>
<p>He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and — having knocked, as nothing but a courtesy — walked through.</p>
<p>If he had considered Site-43 a tomb before, what lay before him had to be at least a mausoleum.</p>
<p>It was a pretentious space, in the way that the offices of all intellectuals were. Unlike all of its other brethren, however, this one had a heart. Perhaps too much, in some parts, but the owner's character nevertheless permeated through the place like an ambient spiritual energy. From the neatly-organized Pink Floyd CD collection to a frighteningly long bookshelf containing all of Tolkien's (both senior and junior) written work, it was a lot. It was a lot, but it certainly spoke to Luca's heart. The image of the man who owned this office was completed by two things: a photo of an older, smiling woman standing in a park next to a similar but younger woman, framed neatly next to the laptop on top of the desk, and the man himself, his long-haired silhouette only barely sticking out of the stacks of books and paper all around him.</p>
<p>All things considered, Luca thought, the place fit him well. He cleared his throat again. This time, the man did react; he first slowly poked his silver head up, blinked twice, corrected his glasses, and then smiled politely.</p>
<p>"Oh, yes, yes, hello," he said, quickly standing up. "I see you managed to find your way down to my sanctuary."</p>
<p>Yes, Luca had to admit, the place did look maybe one step removed from a hermitage. "Yeah. Glad, uh, glad I could make it."</p>
<p>"Indeed." The man extended his hand. "Harry, as I'm sure you've noticed on your way in. Nice to meet you… Luca, I presume?"</p>
<p>"Luca Armaros, yes," he said, shaking Harry's hand. "The pleasure is all mine."</p>
<p>"Lil told me to expect you. Not that I expected you so soon, but…" He waved his hand. "Well. I wasn't being of much use anyway."</p>
<p>"Oh, I did consider whether I should come later, since maybe you could still be asleep, and—"</p>
<p>Harry smiled, and sat back down on his chair. "Don't worry. You couldn't have woken me up. That's not a possibility I've even tried to manifest tonight. Do make yourself comfortable — as comfortable as you can get in here, anyway," he said, pointing towards the nearest chair. "I don't think we'll achieve much standing."</p>
<p>"Oh, yes, yes, right," Luca mumbled out, and sat down. "Of course"</p>
<p>He looked at Harry. As if on command, both corrected their glasses.</p>
<p>"So," Harry said, clapping his hands. "How exactly can I help you?"</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[🜂]</p>
<p>"How do you think it's layered?"</p>
<p>"<em>Wat?</em>"</p>
<p><em>Oh. Right.</em> Lillihammer adjusted herself mentally, cleared her throat, and continued in the appropriate language: "<em>Hoe denk je dat het opgebouwd is?</em>" she asked, carefully looking at the pages laying in front of her.</p>
<p>From a certain angle, the letters almost seemed to glow. This was certainly by design; the room around them — her own personal office, a hermetic memetic exclusion zone created from scratch and filled with preventive measures the likes of which the world had never before seen — was constructed in such a way so as to highlight any foreign glyphs present inside. Still: the almost ephemeral glow was not what Lillian had expected. She'd thought this would be some simple <em>giftschreiber</em> trick, a proof-of-concept of a real end product aimed at causing actual chaos. But this? This fit none of the patterns she could ever remember seeing, and she trusted her memory more than herself.</p>
<p>"<em>It's definitely not the baseline eye-mind connection, that's for sure,</em>" Heather said, putting another page of the manuscript against the giant printer. "<em>It's strange.</em>"</p>
<p>"Hmm."</p>
<p>Lillian leaned closer towards the tome, and narrowed her eyes.</p>
<p>"<em>This is nonsense. Utter nonsense.</em>"</p>
<p>Heather raised an eyebrow, but otherwise remained silently by her post, scanning the tome one <em>beep</em> after another.</p>
<p>As she always did when not uninterrupted — and, more often than not, <em>especially</em> when interrupted — Lillian continued. "<em>It doesn't anchor itself to anything specific. It shouldn't work.</em>" She threw her hand in the air. "<em>It's just… an image, bound to no specific reaction. The fact that it actually instills any reaction is bullshit. It <span style="text-decoration: underline;">shouldn't</span></em>."</p>
<p>Heather considered. "<em>What if it's not meant to?</em>"</p>
<p>Lillian actually blinked. "<em>What?</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>You're looking at it as if it was one of your kill agents, Lils.</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>It's very clearly a similar mechanism. One look at it and you're fucked.</em>" She paused. "<em>It's just that this one doesn't kill you, just makes you Dutch. Which, to be fair, close enough, but—</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>Lils.</em>" Heather said, coming closer towards Lillian. She put a hand on her shoulder. <em>"You're thinking about it as if it was a weapon. Why?</em>"</p>
<p>She shrugged. "<em>Because what the hell would you use this for, if not as a weapon? Some bullshit chaos tool the German nutcases wanted to use to spread Dutch into the rest of the adjacent languages, like what <a href="/scp-5382">Thilo's already once done</a>.</em>" She sighed. "<em>My point is this: why make something like this if not for war?</em>"</p>
<p>Heather smiled. "<em>That <span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span> the right question, isn't it?</em>"</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[🜂]</p>
<p>"So, Huizinga, huh?" Harry said, narrowing his eyes, Even from behind his thick frames, Luca could see him scan one line of database tables after another. "Huizinga… Huizinga…"</p>
<p>Harry frowned — more so than his usual, baseline expression — and scratched his head. "We've got a Huith, Huir, and Huitz in this thing, but no Huizinga." He popped his lips. "Huh."</p>
<p>For a few moments, he remained still.</p>
<p>"So what, that's it?" Luca said, the slightest tint of disheartment present in his tone. "The line just ends here?"</p>
<p>"Far worse." Harry looked him in the eyes. "It leads to the physical archives."</p>
<p>With a heavy grunt, the historian stood up, and moved a few boxes, revealing the second part of his study: the place where all hopes and dreams died, or the bookshelves upon bookshelves of non-digitized documents belonging to the History Department. Originally, the job of actually getting them into the database proper had been assigned to junior researchers here at Forty-Three, but, well; after the last occupant of that particular slave labor had been blown to cross-dimensional and cross-deific bits by the Site's <a href="/scp-5243">annual cascade of cross-temporal bullshit</a>, Harry hadn't had the heart to sentence anyone else to that fate.</p>
<p>That had been more than a decade ago; the documents, naturally, never did stop coming.</p>
<p>With the kind of gesture reserved for death row inmates, Harry signalled Luca to come closer. He obeyed, and after a moment found himself among an archive so large and expansive it pulled the breath out of his lungs. When he did take the next breath, however, he was smiling, much to Harry's dismay.</p>
<p>Had he no job to do other than this assignment, Luca would have loved to do nothing but sort all of these papers and books. It was clear that nobody else was going to do it — <em>obviously</em> — but Luca could. It spoke to some particularly solitary part of his personality, seeing all of those countless documents just <em>waiting</em> to be cataloged and organized. He was, of course, still a man, but somewhere in his soul he was primarily an archivist, one who would love to see all of this made into a coherent whole.</p>
<p>Judging by Harry's reaction, even their shared job and position could not help with crossing that particular bridge between their experiences.</p>
<p>"Well," he said, smiling slightly, "I'm glad you don't see this place as the execution wall I've come to dread it as. Because we're going to spend a <em>long time here</em>," he added, crossing his arms and glancing at the heavy tonnes of paper under the section marked with a large, bolded 'H'.</p>
<p>"Better get started, then."</p>
<p>Harry shrugged. "Tomorrow's already caught me down here, so I do suppose I've got nothing to lose."</p>
<p>Slowly, and with the kind of precision and worry mostly reserved for handling wild animals, Harry took the nearest ladder and stacked it up against the shelf in front of them. Before he could show Luca that he was free to climb first, Armaros was already halfway up.</p>
<p>"Hmm. <em>Hmm</em>." He grunted, slowly starting to rummage through piles upon piles of cross-referencial reports handling topics of no real interest to anyone but maybe Maria Jones herself. After a while that felt longer to Harry than it did to him, he eventually said, "I think I've got something."</p>
<p>"Yeah?"</p>
<p>Luca narrowed his eyes through his glasses. "It's… not quite a dossier, but it's <em>something</em>. Some… Some list of paranormal-adjacent linguists, I think, and…"</p>
<p>He reached out towards one level higher, shifting his weight to the front of his body. "…and he's here! He's—"</p>
<p>Suddenly, and without any fault of his own, he felt the ladder slip from under his feet. Seeing how the only things he could grab onto were the shelf itself and the books inside it, he didn't have enough actual leverage to avoid the fall. Before he could think of anything else to do — or indeed react to this at all, in the fraction of a second his mind had been given to process the fact that was about to transpire — he surrendered to gravity, taking with him some ten kilos of yellow paper nobody except him had seen since they had been printed.</p>
<p>Somewhere in-between all of that, he managed to half-swear, "Pancakes!" before he landed on the solid floor with a heavy thud, burying himself under a self-made blanket of pages.</p>
<p>Without hesitation, Harry reached out, taking off the first layer.</p>
<p>Beneath it, Luca lay in a fetal position, his body covered by one more veneer: one made from his own four blue wings, sprouting from his back, now no longer hidden under his Foundation-issued uniform. No scratches or bruised blemished his body — the power that had sprouted his new appendages so many years ago made sure that no harm came to him from sources as mundane as this.</p>
<p>When Luca opened his eyes again, the spark from previously had disappeared — in their place there now was worry.</p>
<p>In his long years working here, Harry had seen that brand of fear many, many times. He knew what it meant more so than he wished he did.</p>
<p>"I… I'm sorry," Luca said, slowly standing up, his head down. "I didn't…" he trailed off, avoiding eye contact. His wings were low, now, clutched close to his back.</p>
<p>"Luca," Harry said, taking a deep breath. He had gone through this dance many times before, considering his place of employment. He could never relate, of course — not fully — but he did get how to get it. "Come on. Nothing to apologize for."</p>
<p>The other archivist remained unconvinced. He'd heard this part many times before, too. He's long since forgiven himself for allowing himself to get trickd into becoming the Guardian, but it still wasn't the part of himself he wanted others to see first. He didn't want them to think of him as a monster, as some fool he was presented as during Site-19 lectures. He preferred to lay low, whenever he got the chance. It wasn't shame; more-so as a silent worry. Not of the possibility of bodily harm (his mantle of Guardian took care of that, mostly), but of what others could do to people like him, if they couldn't see past his first impression.</p>
<p>He almost-whispered, "I don't want to—"</p>
<p>"Listen." Harry looked him square in the eyes. "My best friend is the student of an immortal Austrian wizard. My <em>second</em> best friend is bad luck incarnate. I once dated an <em>actual witch</em>. I don't care about any of that, Luca. I don't care what others might think of you. None of that defines you. What I see in front of me is a man dedicated to his job and passion. One whose help I need to do this.</p>
<p>"My point is this: I don't care, and neither should you."</p>
<p>Luca stayed silent.</p>
<p>"…Because we've still got an actual metric ton of documents to go through." He smiled, now, the gesture warm and honest. "You don't think I'd let you leave before we finished this, did you? I know our words come alive here at Forty-Three far more often than in other parts of the Foundation, but even here, the cases don't solve themselves, Mr. Archivist. So get back here and let's get this thing sorted, eh?</p>
<p>Luca didn't say anything, for a very long second.</p>
<p>Then, he smiled back.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[🜂]</p>
<p>She scratched her chin, for what was possibly the millionth time this evening. She was beginning to ponder if she had a nervous tick. "<em>I do wonder,</em>" Lillian said, coming closer to Heather and leaning over the book.</p>
<p>Heather chuckled. "<em>You always do, Lils. What about, this time?</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>How this exactly works, without a trigger.</em>"</p>
<p>The other memeticist rolled her eyes. "<em>Yes, we've already gone over that. We—</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>No, I mean actually. Like,</em>" she said, stabbing one of the pages with her finger. <em>"None of the signs indicate any coercion. It's just… a soup of memetic symbols, none of them particularly bound together into a single formula.</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>Wait</em>," Heather said, smiling, "d<em>id you just admit that you don't know the answer, babe?</em>"</p>
<p>Lillian groaned. She did not like not knowing things. "<em>It doesn't add up. It shouldn't just do nothing because it's got no target — it should do nothing because it <span style="text-decoration: underline;">does not</span> do anything.</em>"</p>
<p>For a moment, Heather considered, carrying over the last copied pages onto the binding machine. "<em>Well, I think it's all just about perspective, really.</em>"</p>
<p>Lillian raised an eyebrow. "<em>What?</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>If it's not an immediate effect, maybe it's something slower. Something more gradual, perhaps, not so immediate — something far more subtle. Something not intrusive.</em>" She paused. <em>"Who do you think Huizinga was, really? Beneath all of that work we're analyzing.</em>"</p>
<p>The eyebrow now turned into an arch. "<em>That's… what Harry and Armaros are trying to figure out.</em>"</p>
<p>Heather shook her head. "<em>I don't mean what he was. What he worked as, or what group he possibly aligned himself with,</em>" she said. "<em>I'm asking who he was <span style="text-decoration: underline;">really</span>, beneath all of those titles. I'm sure you can remember something.</em>"</p>
<p>After a second of searching, Lillian found that Heather indeed was right. There <em>was</em> something about Huizinga in that perfect memory of hers that she could salvage. She decided to indulge her. "<em>An historian, primarily. Also a linguist. Travelled a lot.</em>" She paused. <em>"So someone who cared about the world, in its entirety. Tried to care, anyway. Tried to see the bigger picture.</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>Yeah. So <span style="text-decoration: underline;">why</span> would he make this?</em>"</p>
<p>Lillian groaned. "<em>That's the whole—</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>No, Lils. Stop being stupid, Why do you <span style="text-decoration: underline;">think</span> he would make it? I don't care about truth, I want your opinion. Why do you think someone like him would make a memetic tool — one that doesn't have an aggressive effect and is tied to a single, unassuming object? One that can bring no harm to anyone? One bound to a book, out of all things?</em>"</p>
<p>Normally, there were two things Lillian despised, more than anything else — being interrupted, and being lectured. Heather, however, was anything but normal; she was one of the few people that could match her speed (and her interest). Though Lillian possessed a proficiency in pretty much all subjects she wished to possess a proficiency in, one thing she never could figure out fully was how normal people thought. She could predict them, better so than almost anyone else alive, and she could manipulate them to her own ends — but getting to see down-to-earth things through their eyes was something else entirely. It didn't escape her — it just actively bored her.</p>
<p>Heather, however, always could see the grander picture, especially when it came to memetics.</p>
<p>It was her job, after all.</p>
<p>Lillian considered. She looked down at the book. The <em>book</em>. Oh. "<em>To make them do something, but of their own volition. Not to force them, but to point to some direction — show them the path towards noticing something. Just like a book.</em>"</p>
<p>"<em>Just like a book, yeah. And where does that lead us? If not to the mind, like you already established, then where?</em>" She came closer, and put her hand on Lillian's. Very slowly, she navigated both towards one of the symbols written on the page. "<em>And don't say that it was to make people learn Dutch. Who would actually want that?</em>"</p>
<p>Lillian blinked twice.</p>
<p>Then, she got it.</p>
<p>"<em>To the heart. Whatever it is, the message leads right to your heart."</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[🜂]</p>
<p>Luca had thought it'd be an easy job, all things considered.</p>
<p>His optimism did not waver when faced with the archives; it didn't even waver when he realized they were going to have to compile a timeline.</p>
<p>But when, by the five hour mark, they'd barely scratched the surface of the iceberg, he <em>was</em> beginning to question whether this was a one day job.</p>
<p>Harry sighed, rubbed his eyes, and turned over another page of some manuscript older than them both (which, considering both were technically semi-immortal, was quite the achievement). He noted something down, propped his head up, and went back to reading.</p>
<p>After a while, he turned to face Luca. "You got anything?"</p>
<p>Luca popped his lips. "Nothing new. Nothing new that's <em>exciting</em>, I guess I should say." He blinked twice, already feeling the exhaustion from all the work starting to creep in. "If I have to read about one more historical summit…"</p>
<p>"Yeah." Harry put the book aside. "Yeah. Too much even for me." Just like any real historian, Harry did have an admiration for the great work that Huizinga's contributions had carried over to his field of study. But, after as long as this — and as late as this — his admiration even for a man like him started to turn into ennui. He looked at the tome for some few seconds, then diverted his sight back towards Luca. "This clearly isn't working," he said, picking up his notes.</p>
<p>Luca raised an eyebrow.</p>
<p>"We've got a timeline of his life and major cross-references, but none of it is of any actual use."</p>
<p>Luca put up his finger, trying in a positive tone, "Maybe sometimes absence of evidence <em>is</em> evidence of ab—"</p>
<p>"Right, yes, yes, but we can't be <em>sure</em> because there's nothing concrete in this goddamn thing. No lines to draw immediate conclusion through." He sighed. "I was built for reading, not for… this nonsense vague intention analysis. Half a degree in literature does not an English teacher make," he said, a bitter chuckle entering his lips.</p>
<p>Yes, half a degree in literature studies barely made someone an expert; but a full one did. Luca <em>was</em> built for this exact thing. He smiled very slowly. "I think we ought to step back and look at what we've got."</p>
<p>Harry gave him a look. "And what <em>do</em> we've got?"</p>
<p>"Time to find out, no?" he said, standing up.</p>
<p>Harry grunted, but soon followed Luca's stead.</p>
<p>Before long, they were looking at a lot of very badly handwritten post-it notes, all assembled together into a grotesque imitation of a mosaic.</p>
<p>"Like I said: there's not much here," Harry said, unconvinced. "Unless you really want to read about tea parties."</p>
<p>Luca nodded. "Right. But it does paint us a picture of him, doesn't it?"</p>
<p>"I suppose so." Harry considered. "What are you looking for, exactly?"</p>
<p>"I'm trying to see what kind of man arises as an image from this all. What general outlines we can trace to who he was."</p>
<p>That got Harry's attention. "Well. He wasn't a shit, for starters. Rare in those times." He pointed to one of the notes. "He opposed the Nazis pretty heavily back in the thirtees."</p>
<p>"Do you think a <em>giftschreiber</em> would do that? Try to avoid the chaos and suffering that followed?"</p>
<p>"Well, no, but I don't want to cross him out on the basis of one claim. Just one source isn't going to cut it."</p>
<p>"Right." Luca paused, pondering.</p>
<p>Harry said, "It's also clear he wasn't narrow-minded. Tried to not be, in any case."</p>
<p>"Yeah, the travel log's rather impressive. As are his linguistics," he added, snapping his fingers at some table of data. "Sanskrit and German aren't too bad for a man of his times."</p>
<p>Harry nodded. He was fully in lecture mode, now. He was starting to enjoy this. "With the exception of <em>The Autumn</em>, he's also written a few things on culture. <em>Also</em> shockingly progressive and open-minded. Cared about art and the human spirit."</p>
<p>"Hmm."</p>
<p>Harry sighed, one more time. "All right, I yield. This is no <em>giftschreiber</em> profile. Not unless he was absurdly covert. Which," he said, "for the sake of our own sanity, I won't for now consider.</p>
<p>"However," he continued, unwilling to surrender his point, "just because he wasn't this particular brand of memetic cultist doesn't mean he wasn't one of some other."</p>
<p>"Of course. But he definitely wasn't one of the apocalypse-harbinging ones, on that we can agree."</p>
<p>"Yes." Harry scratched his nose. "For what it's worth, the man genuinely did seem to care about the artistic and cultural legacy of humanity, enough to try to protect it." He waved his hand. "The non-fascist read on legacy, I mean."</p>
<p>"Yeah. It's clear he found great value in what he studied."</p>
<p>"Mhm."</p>
<p>"So what <em>was</em> his work doing in a <em>giftschreiber</em> stash? If it wasn't written by one of theirs, what use is it to them?"</p>
<p>Harry considered. "Maybe as a contrast. An instruction, what not to do."</p>
<p>"Hardly his best work for that particular lesson."</p>
<p>"<em>If</em> the lesson they got from it is the one we are also assuming, that is."</p>
<p>Luca skewed his head. "What do you mean?"</p>
<p>"What if it isn't just about the obvious plurality of human culture, from an academic standpoint?"</p>
<p>"Are you proposing a more… down to earth read?"</p>
<p>Harry nodded. "It <em>is</em> a fairytale book, after all. Hardly the most serious of sources for academia," he said. "But yes. What if it isn't some serious message about the inner workings of a human culture?</p>
<p>"What if it's just simply a message that that diversity exists and we should embrace it?" He paused. "The fairytales don't carry grand lessons with them, but they do carry a legacy, Same thing that happened during Soviet occupation of Ukraine, with how their fairytales survived because the invaders thought that they had no message of their own. Maybe it's something similair, here?"</p>
<p>"I—"</p>
<p>Before Luca could intersect, a dull <em>ping</em> from Harry's pager interrupted him. The archivist pulled the device up. "Lillian's got our copy, it seems, all free of memetics. That should give us some more insight." He looked at Luca. "We better not keep her waiting."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[🜂]</p>
<p>After so long down in the archives, they both found, their legs didn't quite work as well as they would have hoped. That Memetics & Countermemetics was situated on the other side of the facility certainly didn't help, either. Still: their long and grueling march gave them time enough to mull everything over, forming a relatively coherent image of Huizinga and their plan going forward, in regards to said image.</p>
<p>They only stopped brainstorming once they stood before the door to a large shared research room.</p>
<p>It wasn't much compared to Lillian's own, personal office — which, as Luca had previously seen once and as Harry had seen many, many times was a work of art in its own right — but the place was still well-equipped and professional, even given the Foundation's already high base standards. Its walls were lined with apparatus neither of the archivists could even guess the purpose of, stuck right between tubes of carbon paper writ with similarly alien runes.</p>
<p>The middle of the room, however, was where its <em>pièce de résistance</em> stood.</p>
<p>It was a giant thing, some two meters tall and maybe three meters wide, all clean, grey panels and press modules. It looked like it cost more than a small Area in its own right. With its control buttons, circular lights, and small screens, it looked—</p>
<p>"…Straight out of <em>Star Trek</em>." Luca whispered to himself, his face a half-formed grin.</p>
<p>Harry caught it, and smiled too, though far more widely than Luca. He was glad someone else had finally also seen his vision.</p>
<p>"See?" Lillian started walking towards the two archivists. "I told you you two'd get along," she said, pointing at Luca. "And yeah, with how much funding I needed redirected to get that thing here you can bet your ass it could belong on a set." Before Luca could get even more flustered by realizing that both of them had heard his comment, she continued, "Anyway. Here's your fuckin' book, nerds. Free of all the shit that'd make you talk nonsense."</p>
<p>She pointed to a tome laying on the worktable next to the machine. It looked pretty much identical to the one that Luca had seen before, when he had been sent the initial find. The only exception was that this copy didn't have the cover the original had — instead, it was neatly wrapped in translucent, green-ish foil, the letters still visible even despite the covering.</p>
<p>Luca came forward, towards the book. "So, what's your impression? Of the whole thing, I mean. Are the runes <em>giftschreiber</em> or not?"</p>
<p>Heather came closer, leaning against the table. "Not by a long shot." She was speaking again in English now; her and Lillian had waited two hours before calling Harry and Luca in so that the effect would die down. Two hours that they'd spent actually cleaning this place up, after they drowned it in a sea of memetic symbols by untackling the composition of the book.</p>
<p>"Hmm."</p>
<p>"Yeah," Lillihammer chined in. "There's no way he's one of them. It's all too jumbled up in-between sappy metaphors to be them. They prefer using more annoying allegories." She crossed her arms, and for a second, the silver of her engagement ring sparkled beneath the lab's LED lights.</p>
<p>Luca smiled again, quickly seeing very similar jewelry on Heather's own finger. These two have gone a long way since she'd first met Heather. Even though he still remained ambivalent towards Lillian (admiration was a strange mix when confronted with irritation), he was happy they'd found each other. He knew all too well how solitary it could get, here in the Foundation, for people like them. For people that weren't made to fit the mold of a standard researcher that asked no questions and had no doubts. Even with a dating pool as diverse and as global as the one offered by their shared conspiracy, finding someone of kindred spirit wasn't easy. He sure as hell wasn't any closer to figuring it all out, even all those years later. Truth be told, he didn't even want to consider the meeting he had last week to have been a date. It was a mess. He didn't need another STEM guy who thinks literature isn't worth his precious time.</p>
<p>It was a heavy burdain, his search for a significant other, one he had struggled through most of his life; one he figured he'd spend some time more still unraveling.</p>
<p>These two, however, were made for each other. He was glad they didn't have to go through the same nonsense he had to.</p>
<p>They'd do great things together. Of that, he was sure.</p>
<p>"What about you?" Heather asked. "How's your front holding up? Not a <em>giftschreiber</em>?"</p>
<p>Harry nodded. "Not a <em>giftschreiber</em>. Some flavor of memetic and vaguely pretentious but definitely not one of the nutcases."</p>
<p>Lillian. "Good. That's good." She put her hands together, and eyed the two archivists. "Now. Now that you've got what you wanted—" She eyed the book. "Shoo, with you two." She grinned, and looked at Heather, almost as if asking if this was enough to make her no longer talk about needing to help Luca. "We've got important work to attend to. Important work that doesn't feature old nonsense."</p>
<p>"Just the new nonsense," Heather said, handing Luca the book. "But yeah, as great as it was to catch up…" She shrugged. "Sorry, Luca. You know how it goes."</p>
<p>"Yeah. Of course. I know you've got work."</p>
<p>Harry rolled his eyes. "Sure they do." He was already half-way through the door when he turned around to Luca, and said, "Oh, and please try not to drop the book. I think J&M would kill us if we had to report another thing after last week's poker session with Willie."</p>
<p>Luca didn't ask. He didn't even raise an eyebrow. Instead, he just grabbed the book more tightly and caught up with the other archivist.</p>
<p>Some things, he'd found, were better left without answers.</p>
<p>Particularly in a place like this.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[🜂]</p>
<p>By the time Lillian and Heather made it to the shared Sublevel Three cafeteria to eat their last meal before calling it a day, they were fairly certain the sun had already risen, all the way up on the surface.</p>
<p>Not that they'd notice it, of course, or even particularly care; just like with everything else, the two rarely — if ever — followed the expectations of others. Particularly when said expectations were as widely accepted and limiting as that of the day and night cycle.</p>
<p>Still: when they took up their trays and loaded their food, they had to admit the place was no longer deserted, as it mostly would be during the night. Now, dozens of personnel were coming in. They were almost exclusively Janitorial & Maintenance staff, as it was an unwritten custom for them to begin work before the other sections did, and although they weren't a crowd quite yet, they were not what the two memeticist had expected.</p>
<p>Lillian sighed, and quickly sat down with Heather in the most remote table offered by the cafeteria, hoping its isolation would be enough to render them invisible to the others. She didn't hate the manual laborers of Site-43, specifically — nobody in their right mind did. She just hated people, in general, so she thought it'd be better for her and them if she remained isolated from the forming group, especially this late into the night.</p>
<p>The moment their trays touched the table, Lillian sighed again, and started massaging her temples.</p>
<p>Heather nodded. "Yeah. Long day."</p>
<p>"Loooooong day." Lillian agreed. She blinked twice, and started playing with the fork, vaguely poking the foot on her plate. "Waste of time, too."</p>
<p>Heather gave her a look. "Come on, Lils. You know I couldn't say no. Not to Luca."</p>
<p>"Yeah. I know. That's why I'm complaining." She took a bite, only to realize she wasn't particularly hungry. She just had to wait for Heather to come to the same realization, then, before they could retire to their shared dormitory and retire for the night — and before someone dumped another nonsense project on their lap.</p>
<p>Heather grinned. "Is someone jealous?"</p>
<p>Lillian scoffed, amused. "No. I just don't like not getting closure."</p>
<p>Her partner raised an eyebrow.</p>
<p>"We figured out the how but not the why, is my point," she said, propping herself up. "That's not good enough."</p>
<p>"And here I was, thinking you didn't want to dedicate any more time to this."</p>
<p>Lillian rolled her eyes. "You're hopeless," she said, but smiled.</p>
<p>They continued like that in silence for a couple more minutes, only occasionally getting interrupted by Heather actually eating — much to Lillian's dismay — and the sporadic chit-chat from J&M personnel making its way from the center of the room.</p>
<p>Eventually, though, Lillian admitted: "Fine. You're right. I'm mad we did end it like that. I wish we could've done more." She crossed her arms. "Not at the cost of our actual schedule, of course, but in general." She waved circles with her hand, and groaned. "It's bullshit we didn't get it."</p>
<p>"Oh, Lils, but we did. Come on. You unraveled a complicated meme in the time it takes most people to stop speaking Dutch from looking at it." She smiled faintly. "Besides: getting the context of it isn't our job. It's no use troubling yourself over something that's not your responsibility."</p>
<p>"Sure. But maybe actually knowing the reason they had it in their stash could help us with future nonsense." She sighed. "Even knowing why he made it would help."</p>
<p>Heather took another bite, and considered. When she next spoke, her meal was finished. "If it helps, I have two hours to spare tomorrow. I can dedicate them to reverse-engineering that thing, if you'd like. Maybe getting it to work for other languages would—"</p>
<p>Suddenly, her eyes went wide, as did Lillian's.</p>
<p>At the very same time, the two of them got it.</p>
<p>"Oh shit."</p>
<p>Lillian smiled, and both of them immediately stood up.</p>
<p>"Oh shit indeed."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[🜂]</p>
<p>When they got back to Harry's office, they soon found out that even the wonders of coffee had an upper limit to their magic. They found it out the hard way, when they sat back in their chairs and immediately felt the length of the day weigh down on their shoulders the second they made themselves comfortable.</p>
<p>Luca endured, somehow, by browsing through the pages of the meme-free book and paying it barely any attention. The letters were starting to look very skimmable, turning into pretty much nonsense, but he was still standing, trying to make sense of what little he could make out from the actual text.</p>
<p>Harry, however, wasn't so lucky. He gave into the exhaustion pretty much instantly, half-laying on the desk, his glasses still on his head.</p>
<p>They stayed like that for a while until eventually — and without much enthusiasm — Luca said, "So, uh, do you speak any Dutch? Besides curses, I mean, and surface level stuff. That I can manage myself."</p>
<p>Luca's voice was barely more than a whisper, but it still rippled through the silent archives like thunder.</p>
<p>Harry jolted awake, almost hitting his head on the desk lamp above him. He looked like whatever it was he had been dreaming about, it had been far more engaging than the task at hand. "Uh, no? Not really. I know some few words, maybe, but…" He shrugged. Just like everyone of his background, he'd picked up French sometime along the way of personal life and academia, but he'd never been much of a polyglot. He much preferred the other kind of incomprehensible texts — the ones they actually payed him to unravel.</p>
<p>"That's what Clio's for," Harry said, and smiled at his own joke. Luca had no way of knowing who Cliometria.aic was — or indeed that she had been created for the express purpose of handling material incomprehensible or too memetically confusing for standard humans to get — but that didn't stop Harry. Amusing nobody but himself was the expected baseline for his humor.</p>
<p>Eventually, though, his smile died down, and he became serious. "Why do you ask?"</p>
<p>Luca vaguely gestured towards the opened book. "I'm trying to see if there's anything interesting to anyone but myself in this, or if it's just fairy tales like the file said. Whether there's something in-between the lines."</p>
<p>Harry skewed his head. "Didn't you… read it, when you actually spoke Dutch? In those two hours, I mean?"</p>
<p>"Yeah, but it's not the same, is it? I have memories of it, sure, but… I have memories of what the text talks about, but those memories wouldn't really be the same. Translation wouldn't be as precise, either. Not exactly. It certainly seemed to click more when I actually understood the words properly. But now…" he blew out air. "Yeah."</p>
<p>"Hmm."</p>
<p>"Hmm?"</p>
<p>"What if that's the point?"</p>
<p>Luca blinked. "What do you mean?"</p>
<p>Harry scratched his head. "We've got a guy who very clearly cares about the plurality of human societies. Someone who recognizes the value of distinct cultural identities without turning that rhetoric into fascist bullshit." He tapped the book. "A guy that goes out of his way to not only create a book that can make you not just see the experience of the other, but actually <em>feel</em> it. Feel it as intended, not as a flattened localization.</p>
<p>"What if that's the whole point?"</p>
<p>Luca blinked again. Both of them were too tired for the revelation to particularly strike them as much as it normally would. "I… I suppose so? But doesn't that just feel too convenient to you? Too heartfelt?"</p>
<p>"Maybe." Harry smiled. "But in history, I've found, the most heartfelt answers are very often the best ones."</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/>
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<div class="blockquote">
<p><strong>Item №:</strong> SCP-XXXX <tt>[PENDING CLASSIFICATION]</tt></p>
<p><strong>Object Class:</strong> Safe</p>
<p><strong>Special Containment Procedures:</strong> SCP-XXXX is freely available for use to all Foundation personnel, and is to remain so for the foreseeable future. To ensure maximum efficiency, its usage should first be cataloged and scheduled with the SCP-XXXX project lead, Senior Researcher Luca Armaros.</p>
<p><strong>Description:</strong> SCP-XXXX is a leather-bound tome hand-written by Johan Huizinga, a Dutch historian, linguist, and thaumaturgist. The 159-page tome is entirely filled with richly illustrated Dutch fairy tales and stories from Dutch folklore.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup></p>
<p>SCP-XXXX was formerly the host of a circle class hermeneutic effect which changed the linguistic capabilities of subjects interacting with it by restricting it solely to Dutch for approximately two hours, even if the affected individual previously lacked any such skills. Following in-depth research, reverse engineering, and reprogramming work performed on the object by Drs. Lillihammer, Garrison, Blank, and Sr. Res. Armaros, it is now capable of instilling such an effect in a controlled manner. The duration of the effect — as well as the instilled language — are no longer limited to two hours and Dutch respectively; instead, the user is now capable of choosing from a wide array of 200 languages cataloged by the Foundation and embedded into the memetic effect, selecting the effect's intended duration.</p>
<p>As of writing, SCP-XXXX is utilized in all Site-43 and Site-19 contacts with ESL (English as a Second Language) subjects so as to ensure no vital information and/or perspectives are lost during the translation process which would otherwise inevitably occur during interviews, interrogations, and similar occasions.</p>
<p><strong>Addendum XXXX-1:</strong> On 16/11/2024, two months following the completion of the changes done to SCP-XXXX by Foundation personnel, the object started to undergo spontaneous changes, inexplicably growing in size by almost 300 pages. Following interrogation, it was revealed that its properties have not changed, but its content has — the fairytales contained inside were no longer solely Dutch in origin. Instead, the additional pages were found to contain material of similar nature from all around the globe, featuring legends and stories from France, China, India, Germany, Japan, Russia, and Portugal.</p>
<p>Further research is ongoing.</p>
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<div class="title">Footnotes</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. Such as the stories of <em>Witte Wieven</em>, <em>Vrouwtje van Stavoren</em>, <em>Vliegende</em> Hollander, or <em>Bokkenrijders</em>.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. "Poison writers" in German. A memetic doomsday cult. Aimed at immanentizing the eschaton through the proliferation of chaos and unrest via the deployment of memetic agents, the <em>giftschreiber</em> carry the ideology of liberation through total anarchy. Often at odds with the personnel of Site-43, who are tasked with combating the rising <em>giftschreiber</em> threat.</div>
<div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. Such as the stories of <em>Witte Wieven</em>, <em>Vrouwtje van Stavoren</em>, <em>Vliegende</em> Hollander, or <em>Bokkenrijders</em>.</div>
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<p>Cite this page as:</p>
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<p>"<a href="/silver-hair-and-silver-tongues">Silver Hair & Silver Tongues</a>" by Ralliston, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/silver-hair-and-silver-tongues">https://scpwiki.com/silver-hair-and-silver-tongues</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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**Item №:** SCP-XXXX {{[PENDING CLASSIFICATION]}}
**Object Class:** Safe
**Special Containment Procedures:** SCP-XXXX is to be stored at a low-risk object containment locker at --Site-19-- Site-43. Personnel handling SCP-XXXX are to notify the SCP-XXXX project lead, --Senior Researcher Luca Armaros-- Dr. Lilllian Lillihammer.
**Description:** SCP-XXXX is a leather-bound tome attributed in authorship to Johan Huizinga, a Dutch historian and linguist, as well as [[[parker-informational-breach|suspected thaumaturge]]] and hermeneuticist. Its cover is bereft of any illustrations, save for the author's name and the title, which reads "Sprookjes" (//Fairy Tales// in Dutch).
SCP-XXXX's content matches the expectation given by its title; the 159-page tome is filled with illustrated Dutch fairy tales,[[footnote]] Such as the stories of //Witte Wieven//, //Vrouwtje van Stavoren//, //Vliegende// Hollander, or //Bokkenrijders//. [[/footnote]] all of which had been hand-written using ink. Analysis revealed the writing matches with that of Huizinga.
SCP-XXXX activates when a subject opens its first page. Upon coming into visual contact with it, the person interacting with the object will promptly cease to understand any languages other than Dutch (even if, before, they had no skills in Dutch at all). For the next two hours, the affected individual will be incapable of thinking, writing, and reading in any language but Dutch. After the two hour mark, the effect will cease, and the subject's linguistic skills will be returned to their basic state. The effects will remanifest upon further contact with SCP-XXXX.
SCP-XXXX was recovered during a raid on a //giftschreiber//[[footnote]]"Poison writers" in German. A memetic doomsday cult. Aimed at immanentizing the eschaton through the proliferation of chaos and unrest via the deployment of memetic agents, the //giftschreiber// carry the ideology of liberation through total anarchy. Often at odds with the personnel of Site-43, who are tasked with combating the rising //giftschreiber// threat. [[/footnote]] outpost carried out by Mobile Task Force Rho-43 ("Home Invaders"), led by Dr. Lillian Lillihammer on 27/08/2024. Although the book bears no obvious markings identifying it as a //giftschreiber// artifact, it was nevertheless stored on-site alongside several other tomes of memetic nature, suggesting a connection between the object, its author, and the Group of Interest.
Further investigation into its properties as well as into the nature of its author is ongoing.
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"Hmm."
"Hmm?"
"//Hrmm//," repeated Lillian Lillihammer, standing up and scratching her chin. "Yeah, this isn't going to work."
[[[scp-8166|Luca Armaros]]] blinked twice, looking away from the tome in front of him and up, towards Lillian's towering figure. "What? Why not?"
"Because I //already know Dutch//, so it's as good as useless on me," she said, pacing around the table. Before he could ask, she added: "You pick it up after one too many days with Ilse."
He corrected his half-moon glasses. "Hold on, Lillian--"
"That's //doctor// Lillihammer."
"Apologies, //Doctor// Lillihammer. Heather told me you were the best of the best. That if anyone could make sense of it, you could. Am I to understand that she was wrong?"
She rolled her eyes, but vaguely smirked at the mention of her fiancée's name. It wasn't that she wasn't good enough to help Armaros; it was that this was an anomaly that simple to be worth her time. In a schedule as tight as hers -- and as packed with saving the world from memetic doomsday cults -- she didn't care to lose time with low-stakes drivel such as this. Not even as a break from her actually important work.
...But on the other hand, Heather had asked her to help Luca out.
She had asked her very, very nicely.
There weren't many people Lillian could tolerate -- there were even less whose company she actively enjoyed. Heather Garrison, however, was as close as people could get to the latter category without quite literally being Lillian Lillihammer. She'd give her life to protect that woman, so she supposed that a week of her time wasn't too outrageous of an alternative. Besides: she knew Heather and Armaros went [[[the-legend-of-the-iron-goat|way back]]]. He might have been a dork of the more pathetic sort, but //he// was the one who saw something more in Heather than the glorified paper-pusher the Foundation's bureaucratic machine had appointed her as. He was the one who made her see the potential she had -- the potential which, inevitably, brought her to Lillihammer's side.
"Ugh. Fine," she said, rubbing her eyes. "But don't expect miracles, archivist." She pointed her long finger directly in-between Luca's eyes. "I don't have the time to perform them for you."
"Thank you, I really--"
"Yes, yes, save your platitudes for when I'm done. In the meantime," she said, throwing Luca a folder with the relevant documentation. He caught it, but only barely. "Make yourself useful."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Huizinga isn't going to figure himself out himself. I need to know if the man was a //giftschreiber// or just a nerd."
"Well, all of my material is back at Site--"
She waved her hand. "That won't be necessary. I've already told a local friend of mine he'll be helping you. He knows his books, trust you me. Especially those whose words have been Poisoned." She turned towards the nearest file cabinet, already starting to browse through the gathered documents. "I'll send you a meme-free scan when I get the chance."
"I... I'm not sure if I'd be the greatest research partner? I, uh, like to talk a lot during--"
She turned back, eyed him up and down, then raised an eyebrow. "Harry hasn't had a single good thing to do since he's gotten married. Besides," she said, smirking, and shifting her attention once more towards something else. "With how much nonsense you both talk, I'm sure you two will get along just //swimmingly//."
= [🜂]
Luca had been to Site-43 a few times before, in the long years that had passed since he'd first crossed paths with Heather.
Still: he never did get used to the layout.
All of his trips had been nothing but momentary transfers, more aimed at catching up with an old friend than actual scientific progress. In a field as seemingly insignificant to the Foundation's mission at large as his, the occasional tour was a privilege he could afford, but one he nevertheless remained ambivalent towards. Sure, actually talking with Heather was better than the occasional text they'd still send each other, but the facility was... well. Even for his standards, it was //weird//.
It was practically a tomb, with how deep it had been constructed; a tomb filled with esoteric waste and more esoteric legacies still. Its long, white corridors came together to form quite the labyrinth -- one that Luca had trouble navigating even with the three subway lines connecting it together. The people, too, were far from the Foundation baseline he'd come to expect. Given his own condition, he recognized the irony of that thought, of course, but there were only so many janitors with personal mirror monsters or time-stuck researchers he could meet before starting to question his own sanity.
Still: when he had gotten the message some week ago that Sophia was briefly transferring him back to this place, he welcomed it as a good change of pace. Of course, it was nothing compared to the change of pace he had felt a few days prior when the apparently hermeneutic artifact he had been sent briefly turned him into a citizen of Utrecht in all but name, but it was at least something.
//Maybe here they'll take my work as more than a curiosity//, he thought as he came to a sudden stop.
It took him nearly an hour of wandering through old abatement facilities and jam-packed common rooms, but he finally made it to his destination.
The lettering upon the heavy door in front of him simply read:
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+++ Dr. Harold R. Blank
+++++ Archives and Revision, Chair
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Well. That was that, then.
He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and -- having knocked, as nothing but a courtesy -- walked through.
If he had considered Site-43 a tomb before, what lay before him had to be at least a mausoleum.
It was a pretentious space, in the way that the offices of all intellectuals were. Unlike all of its other brethren, however, this one had a heart. Perhaps too much, in some parts, but the owner's character nevertheless permeated through the place like an ambient spiritual energy. From the neatly-organized Pink Floyd CD collection to a frighteningly long bookshelf containing all of Tolkien's (both senior and junior) written work, it was a lot. It was a lot, but it certainly spoke to Luca's heart. The image of the man who owned this office was completed by two things: a photo of an older, smiling woman standing in a park next to a similar but younger woman, framed neatly next to the laptop on top of the desk, and the man himself, his long-haired silhouette only barely sticking out of the stacks of books and paper all around him.
All things considered, Luca thought, the place fit him well. He cleared his throat again. This time, the man did react; he first slowly poked his silver head up, blinked twice, corrected his glasses, and then smiled politely.
"Oh, yes, yes, hello," he said, quickly standing up. "I see you managed to find your way down to my sanctuary."
Yes, Luca had to admit, the place did look maybe one step removed from a hermitage. "Yeah. Glad, uh, glad I could make it."
"Indeed." The man extended his hand. "Harry, as I'm sure you've noticed on your way in. Nice to meet you... Luca, I presume?"
"Luca Armaros, yes," he said, shaking Harry's hand. "The pleasure is all mine."
"Lil told me to expect you. Not that I expected you so soon, but..." He waved his hand. "Well. I wasn't being of much use anyway."
"Oh, I did consider whether I should come later, since maybe you could still be asleep, and--"
Harry smiled, and sat back down on his chair. "Don't worry. You couldn't have woken me up. That's not a possibility I've even tried to manifest tonight. Do make yourself comfortable -- as comfortable as you can get in here, anyway," he said, pointing towards the nearest chair. "I don't think we'll achieve much standing."
"Oh, yes, yes, right," Luca mumbled out, and sat down. "Of course"
He looked at Harry. As if on command, both corrected their glasses.
"So," Harry said, clapping his hands. "How exactly can I help you?"
= [🜂]
"How do you think it's layered?"
"//Wat?//"
//Oh. Right.// Lillihammer adjusted herself mentally, cleared her throat, and continued in the appropriate language: "//Hoe denk je dat het opgebouwd is?//" she asked, carefully looking at the pages laying in front of her.
From a certain angle, the letters almost seemed to glow. This was certainly by design; the room around them -- her own personal office, a hermetic memetic exclusion zone created from scratch and filled with preventive measures the likes of which the world had never before seen -- was constructed in such a way so as to highlight any foreign glyphs present inside. Still: the almost ephemeral glow was not what Lillian had expected. She'd thought this would be some simple //giftschreiber// trick, a proof-of-concept of a real end product aimed at causing actual chaos. But this? This fit none of the patterns she could ever remember seeing, and she trusted her memory more than herself.
"//It's definitely not the baseline eye-mind connection, that's for sure,//" Heather said, putting another page of the manuscript against the giant printer. "//It's strange.//"
"Hmm."
Lillian leaned closer towards the tome, and narrowed her eyes.
"//This is nonsense. Utter nonsense.//"
Heather raised an eyebrow, but otherwise remained silently by her post, scanning the tome one //beep// after another.
As she always did when not uninterrupted -- and, more often than not, //especially// when interrupted -- Lillian continued. "//It doesn't anchor itself to anything specific. It shouldn't work.//" She threw her hand in the air. "//It's just... an image, bound to no specific reaction. The fact that it actually instills any reaction is bullshit. It __shouldn't__//."
Heather considered. "//What if it's not meant to?//"
Lillian actually blinked. "//What?//"
"//You're looking at it as if it was one of your kill agents, Lils.//"
"//It's very clearly a similar mechanism. One look at it and you're fucked.//" She paused. "//It's just that this one doesn't kill you, just makes you Dutch. Which, to be fair, close enough, but--//"
"//Lils.//" Heather said, coming closer towards Lillian. She put a hand on her shoulder. //"You're thinking about it as if it was a weapon. Why?//"
She shrugged. "//Because what the hell would you use this for, if not as a weapon? Some bullshit chaos tool the German nutcases wanted to use to spread Dutch into the rest of the adjacent languages, like what [[[scp-5382|Thilo's already once done]]].//" She sighed. "//My point is this: why make something like this if not for war?//"
Heather smiled. "//That __is__ the right question, isn't it?//"
= [🜂]
"So, Huizinga, huh?" Harry said, narrowing his eyes, Even from behind his thick frames, Luca could see him scan one line of database tables after another. "Huizinga... Huizinga..."
Harry frowned -- more so than his usual, baseline expression -- and scratched his head. "We've got a Huith, Huir, and Huitz in this thing, but no Huizinga." He popped his lips. "Huh."
For a few moments, he remained still.
"So what, that's it?" Luca said, the slightest tint of disheartment present in his tone. "The line just ends here?"
"Far worse." Harry looked him in the eyes. "It leads to the physical archives."
With a heavy grunt, the historian stood up, and moved a few boxes, revealing the second part of his study: the place where all hopes and dreams died, or the bookshelves upon bookshelves of non-digitized documents belonging to the History Department. Originally, the job of actually getting them into the database proper had been assigned to junior researchers here at Forty-Three, but, well; after the last occupant of that particular slave labor had been blown to cross-dimensional and cross-deific bits by the Site's [[[scp-5243|annual cascade of cross-temporal bullshit]]], Harry hadn't had the heart to sentence anyone else to that fate.
That had been more than a decade ago; the documents, naturally, never did stop coming.
With the kind of gesture reserved for death row inmates, Harry signalled Luca to come closer. He obeyed, and after a moment found himself among an archive so large and expansive it pulled the breath out of his lungs. When he did take the next breath, however, he was smiling, much to Harry's dismay.
Had he no job to do other than this assignment, Luca would have loved to do nothing but sort all of these papers and books. It was clear that nobody else was going to do it -- //obviously// -- but Luca could. It spoke to some particularly solitary part of his personality, seeing all of those countless documents just //waiting// to be cataloged and organized. He was, of course, still a man, but somewhere in his soul he was primarily an archivist, one who would love to see all of this made into a coherent whole.
Judging by Harry's reaction, even their shared job and position could not help with crossing that particular bridge between their experiences.
"Well," he said, smiling slightly, "I'm glad you don't see this place as the execution wall I've come to dread it as. Because we're going to spend a //long time here//," he added, crossing his arms and glancing at the heavy tonnes of paper under the section marked with a large, bolded 'H'.
"Better get started, then."
Harry shrugged. "Tomorrow's already caught me down here, so I do suppose I've got nothing to lose."
Slowly, and with the kind of precision and worry mostly reserved for handling wild animals, Harry took the nearest ladder and stacked it up against the shelf in front of them. Before he could show Luca that he was free to climb first, Armaros was already halfway up.
"Hmm. //Hmm//." He grunted, slowly starting to rummage through piles upon piles of cross-referencial reports handling topics of no real interest to anyone but maybe Maria Jones herself. After a while that felt longer to Harry than it did to him, he eventually said, "I think I've got something."
"Yeah?"
Luca narrowed his eyes through his glasses. "It's... not quite a dossier, but it's //something//. Some... Some list of paranormal-adjacent linguists, I think, and..."
He reached out towards one level higher, shifting his weight to the front of his body. "...and he's here! He's--"
Suddenly, and without any fault of his own, he felt the ladder slip from under his feet. Seeing how the only things he could grab onto were the shelf itself and the books inside it, he didn't have enough actual leverage to avoid the fall. Before he could think of anything else to do -- or indeed react to this at all, in the fraction of a second his mind had been given to process the fact that was about to transpire -- he surrendered to gravity, taking with him some ten kilos of yellow paper nobody except him had seen since they had been printed.
Somewhere in-between all of that, he managed to half-swear, "Pancakes!" before he landed on the solid floor with a heavy thud, burying himself under a self-made blanket of pages.
Without hesitation, Harry reached out, taking off the first layer.
Beneath it, Luca lay in a fetal position, his body covered by one more veneer: one made from his own four blue wings, sprouting from his back, now no longer hidden under his Foundation-issued uniform. No scratches or bruised blemished his body -- the power that had sprouted his new appendages so many years ago made sure that no harm came to him from sources as mundane as this.
When Luca opened his eyes again, the spark from previously had disappeared -- in their place there now was worry.
In his long years working here, Harry had seen that brand of fear many, many times. He knew what it meant more so than he wished he did.
"I... I'm sorry," Luca said, slowly standing up, his head down. "I didn't..." he trailed off, avoiding eye contact. His wings were low, now, clutched close to his back.
"Luca," Harry said, taking a deep breath. He had gone through this dance many times before, considering his place of employment. He could never relate, of course -- not fully -- but he did get how to get it. "Come on. Nothing to apologize for."
The other archivist remained unconvinced. He'd heard this part many times before, too. He's long since forgiven himself for allowing himself to get trickd into becoming the Guardian, but it still wasn't the part of himself he wanted others to see first. He didn't want them to think of him as a monster, as some fool he was presented as during Site-19 lectures. He preferred to lay low, whenever he got the chance. It wasn't shame; more-so as a silent worry. Not of the possibility of bodily harm (his mantle of Guardian took care of that, mostly), but of what others could do to people like him, if they couldn't see past his first impression.
He almost-whispered, "I don't want to--"
"Listen." Harry looked him square in the eyes. "My best friend is the student of an immortal Austrian wizard. My //second// best friend is bad luck incarnate. I once dated an //actual witch//. I don't care about any of that, Luca. I don't care what others might think of you. None of that defines you. What I see in front of me is a man dedicated to his job and passion. One whose help I need to do this.
"My point is this: I don't care, and neither should you."
Luca stayed silent.
"...Because we've still got an actual metric ton of documents to go through." He smiled, now, the gesture warm and honest. "You don't think I'd let you leave before we finished this, did you? I know our words come alive here at Forty-Three far more often than in other parts of the Foundation, but even here, the cases don't solve themselves, Mr. Archivist. So get back here and let's get this thing sorted, eh?
Luca didn't say anything, for a very long second.
Then, he smiled back.
= [🜂]
She scratched her chin, for what was possibly the millionth time this evening. She was beginning to ponder if she had a nervous tick. "//I do wonder,//" Lillian said, coming closer to Heather and leaning over the book.
Heather chuckled. "//You always do, Lils. What about, this time?//"
"//How this exactly works, without a trigger.//"
The other memeticist rolled her eyes. "//Yes, we've already gone over that. We--//"
"//No, I mean actually. Like,//" she said, stabbing one of the pages with her finger. //"None of the signs indicate any coercion. It's just... a soup of memetic symbols, none of them particularly bound together into a single formula.//"
"//Wait//," Heather said, smiling, "d//id you just admit that you don't know the answer, babe?//"
Lillian groaned. She did not like not knowing things. "//It doesn't add up. It shouldn't just do nothing because it's got no target -- it should do nothing because it __does not__ do anything.//"
For a moment, Heather considered, carrying over the last copied pages onto the binding machine. "//Well, I think it's all just about perspective, really.//"
Lillian raised an eyebrow. "//What?//"
"//If it's not an immediate effect, maybe it's something slower. Something more gradual, perhaps, not so immediate -- something far more subtle. Something not intrusive.//" She paused. //"Who do you think Huizinga was, really? Beneath all of that work we're analyzing.//"
The eyebrow now turned into an arch. "//That's... what Harry and Armaros are trying to figure out.//"
Heather shook her head. "//I don't mean what he was. What he worked as, or what group he possibly aligned himself with,//" she said. "//I'm asking who he was __really__, beneath all of those titles. I'm sure you can remember something.//"
After a second of searching, Lillian found that Heather indeed was right. There //was// something about Huizinga in that perfect memory of hers that she could salvage. She decided to indulge her. "//An historian, primarily. Also a linguist. Travelled a lot.//" She paused. //"So someone who cared about the world, in its entirety. Tried to care, anyway. Tried to see the bigger picture.//"
"//Yeah. So __why__ would he make this?//"
Lillian groaned. "//That's the whole--//"
"//No, Lils. Stop being stupid, Why do you __think__ he would make it? I don't care about truth, I want your opinion. Why do you think someone like him would make a memetic tool -- one that doesn't have an aggressive effect and is tied to a single, unassuming object? One that can bring no harm to anyone? One bound to a book, out of all things?//"
Normally, there were two things Lillian despised, more than anything else -- being interrupted, and being lectured. Heather, however, was anything but normal; she was one of the few people that could match her speed (and her interest). Though Lillian possessed a proficiency in pretty much all subjects she wished to possess a proficiency in, one thing she never could figure out fully was how normal people thought. She could predict them, better so than almost anyone else alive, and she could manipulate them to her own ends -- but getting to see down-to-earth things through their eyes was something else entirely. It didn't escape her -- it just actively bored her.
Heather, however, always could see the grander picture, especially when it came to memetics.
It was her job, after all.
Lillian considered. She looked down at the book. The //book//. Oh. "//To make them do something, but of their own volition. Not to force them, but to point to some direction -- show them the path towards noticing something. Just like a book.//"
"//Just like a book, yeah. And where does that lead us? If not to the mind, like you already established, then where?//" She came closer, and put her hand on Lillian's. Very slowly, she navigated both towards one of the symbols written on the page. "//And don't say that it was to make people learn Dutch. Who would actually want that?//"
Lillian blinked twice.
Then, she got it.
"//To the heart. Whatever it is, the message leads right to your heart."//
= [🜂]
Luca had thought it'd be an easy job, all things considered.
His optimism did not waver when faced with the archives; it didn't even waver when he realized they were going to have to compile a timeline.
But when, by the five hour mark, they'd barely scratched the surface of the iceberg, he //was// beginning to question whether this was a one day job.
Harry sighed, rubbed his eyes, and turned over another page of some manuscript older than them both (which, considering both were technically semi-immortal, was quite the achievement). He noted something down, propped his head up, and went back to reading.
After a while, he turned to face Luca. "You got anything?"
Luca popped his lips. "Nothing new. Nothing new that's //exciting//, I guess I should say." He blinked twice, already feeling the exhaustion from all the work starting to creep in. "If I have to read about one more historical summit..."
"Yeah." Harry put the book aside. "Yeah. Too much even for me." Just like any real historian, Harry did have an admiration for the great work that Huizinga's contributions had carried over to his field of study. But, after as long as this -- and as late as this -- his admiration even for a man like him started to turn into ennui. He looked at the tome for some few seconds, then diverted his sight back towards Luca. "This clearly isn't working," he said, picking up his notes.
Luca raised an eyebrow.
"We've got a timeline of his life and major cross-references, but none of it is of any actual use."
Luca put up his finger, trying in a positive tone, "Maybe sometimes absence of evidence //is// evidence of ab--"
"Right, yes, yes, but we can't be //sure// because there's nothing concrete in this goddamn thing. No lines to draw immediate conclusion through." He sighed. "I was built for reading, not for... this nonsense vague intention analysis. Half a degree in literature does not an English teacher make," he said, a bitter chuckle entering his lips.
Yes, half a degree in literature studies barely made someone an expert; but a full one did. Luca //was// built for this exact thing. He smiled very slowly. "I think we ought to step back and look at what we've got."
Harry gave him a look. "And what //do// we've got?"
"Time to find out, no?" he said, standing up.
Harry grunted, but soon followed Luca's stead.
Before long, they were looking at a lot of very badly handwritten post-it notes, all assembled together into a grotesque imitation of a mosaic.
"Like I said: there's not much here," Harry said, unconvinced. "Unless you really want to read about tea parties."
Luca nodded. "Right. But it does paint us a picture of him, doesn't it?"
"I suppose so." Harry considered. "What are you looking for, exactly?"
"I'm trying to see what kind of man arises as an image from this all. What general outlines we can trace to who he was."
That got Harry's attention. "Well. He wasn't a shit, for starters. Rare in those times." He pointed to one of the notes. "He opposed the Nazis pretty heavily back in the thirtees."
"Do you think a //giftschreiber// would do that? Try to avoid the chaos and suffering that followed?"
"Well, no, but I don't want to cross him out on the basis of one claim. Just one source isn't going to cut it."
"Right." Luca paused, pondering.
Harry said, "It's also clear he wasn't narrow-minded. Tried to not be, in any case."
"Yeah, the travel log's rather impressive. As are his linguistics," he added, snapping his fingers at some table of data. "Sanskrit and German aren't too bad for a man of his times."
Harry nodded. He was fully in lecture mode, now. He was starting to enjoy this. "With the exception of //The Autumn//, he's also written a few things on culture. //Also// shockingly progressive and open-minded. Cared about art and the human spirit."
"Hmm."
Harry sighed, one more time. "All right, I yield. This is no //giftschreiber// profile. Not unless he was absurdly covert. Which," he said, "for the sake of our own sanity, I won't for now consider.
"However," he continued, unwilling to surrender his point, "just because he wasn't this particular brand of memetic cultist doesn't mean he wasn't one of some other."
"Of course. But he definitely wasn't one of the apocalypse-harbinging ones, on that we can agree."
"Yes." Harry scratched his nose. "For what it's worth, the man genuinely did seem to care about the artistic and cultural legacy of humanity, enough to try to protect it." He waved his hand. "The non-fascist read on legacy, I mean."
"Yeah. It's clear he found great value in what he studied."
"Mhm."
"So what //was// his work doing in a //giftschreiber// stash? If it wasn't written by one of theirs, what use is it to them?"
Harry considered. "Maybe as a contrast. An instruction, what not to do."
"Hardly his best work for that particular lesson."
"//If// the lesson they got from it is the one we are also assuming, that is."
Luca skewed his head. "What do you mean?"
"What if it isn't just about the obvious plurality of human culture, from an academic standpoint?"
"Are you proposing a more... down to earth read?"
Harry nodded. "It //is// a fairytale book, after all. Hardly the most serious of sources for academia," he said. "But yes. What if it isn't some serious message about the inner workings of a human culture?
"What if it's just simply a message that that diversity exists and we should embrace it?" He paused. "The fairytales don't carry grand lessons with them, but they do carry a legacy, Same thing that happened during Soviet occupation of Ukraine, with how their fairytales survived because the invaders thought that they had no message of their own. Maybe it's something similair, here?"
"I--"
Before Luca could intersect, a dull //ping// from Harry's pager interrupted him. The archivist pulled the device up. "Lillian's got our copy, it seems, all free of memetics. That should give us some more insight." He looked at Luca. "We better not keep her waiting."
= [🜂]
After so long down in the archives, they both found, their legs didn't quite work as well as they would have hoped. That Memetics & Countermemetics was situated on the other side of the facility certainly didn't help, either. Still: their long and grueling march gave them time enough to mull everything over, forming a relatively coherent image of Huizinga and their plan going forward, in regards to said image.
They only stopped brainstorming once they stood before the door to a large shared research room.
It wasn't much compared to Lillian's own, personal office -- which, as Luca had previously seen once and as Harry had seen many, many times was a work of art in its own right -- but the place was still well-equipped and professional, even given the Foundation's already high base standards. Its walls were lined with apparatus neither of the archivists could even guess the purpose of, stuck right between tubes of carbon paper writ with similarly alien runes.
The middle of the room, however, was where its //pièce de résistance// stood.
It was a giant thing, some two meters tall and maybe three meters wide, all clean, grey panels and press modules. It looked like it cost more than a small Area in its own right. With its control buttons, circular lights, and small screens, it looked--
"...Straight out of //Star Trek//." Luca whispered to himself, his face a half-formed grin.
Harry caught it, and smiled too, though far more widely than Luca. He was glad someone else had finally also seen his vision.
"See?" Lillian started walking towards the two archivists. "I told you you two'd get along," she said, pointing at Luca. "And yeah, with how much funding I needed redirected to get that thing here you can bet your ass it could belong on a set." Before Luca could get even more flustered by realizing that both of them had heard his comment, she continued, "Anyway. Here's your fuckin' book, nerds. Free of all the shit that'd make you talk nonsense."
She pointed to a tome laying on the worktable next to the machine. It looked pretty much identical to the one that Luca had seen before, when he had been sent the initial find. The only exception was that this copy didn't have the cover the original had -- instead, it was neatly wrapped in translucent, green-ish foil, the letters still visible even despite the covering.
Luca came forward, towards the book. "So, what's your impression? Of the whole thing, I mean. Are the runes //giftschreiber// or not?"
Heather came closer, leaning against the table. "Not by a long shot." She was speaking again in English now; her and Lillian had waited two hours before calling Harry and Luca in so that the effect would die down. Two hours that they'd spent actually cleaning this place up, after they drowned it in a sea of memetic symbols by untackling the composition of the book.
"Hmm."
"Yeah," Lillihammer chined in. "There's no way he's one of them. It's all too jumbled up in-between sappy metaphors to be them. They prefer using more annoying allegories." She crossed her arms, and for a second, the silver of her engagement ring sparkled beneath the lab's LED lights.
Luca smiled again, quickly seeing very similar jewelry on Heather's own finger. These two have gone a long way since she'd first met Heather. Even though he still remained ambivalent towards Lillian (admiration was a strange mix when confronted with irritation), he was happy they'd found each other. He knew all too well how solitary it could get, here in the Foundation, for people like them. For people that weren't made to fit the mold of a standard researcher that asked no questions and had no doubts. Even with a dating pool as diverse and as global as the one offered by their shared conspiracy, finding someone of kindred spirit wasn't easy. He sure as hell wasn't any closer to figuring it all out, even all those years later. Truth be told, he didn't even want to consider the meeting he had last week to have been a date. It was a mess. He didn't need another STEM guy who thinks literature isn't worth his precious time.
It was a heavy burdain, his search for a significant other, one he had struggled through most of his life; one he figured he'd spend some time more still unraveling.
These two, however, were made for each other. He was glad they didn't have to go through the same nonsense he had to.
They'd do great things together. Of that, he was sure.
"What about you?" Heather asked. "How's your front holding up? Not a //giftschreiber//?"
Harry nodded. "Not a //giftschreiber//. Some flavor of memetic and vaguely pretentious but definitely not one of the nutcases."
Lillian. "Good. That's good." She put her hands together, and eyed the two archivists. "Now. Now that you've got what you wanted—" She eyed the book. "Shoo, with you two." She grinned, and looked at Heather, almost as if asking if this was enough to make her no longer talk about needing to help Luca. "We've got important work to attend to. Important work that doesn't feature old nonsense."
"Just the new nonsense," Heather said, handing Luca the book. "But yeah, as great as it was to catch up..." She shrugged. "Sorry, Luca. You know how it goes."
"Yeah. Of course. I know you've got work."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Sure they do." He was already half-way through the door when he turned around to Luca, and said, "Oh, and please try not to drop the book. I think J&M would kill us if we had to report another thing after last week's poker session with Willie."
Luca didn't ask. He didn't even raise an eyebrow. Instead, he just grabbed the book more tightly and caught up with the other archivist.
Some things, he'd found, were better left without answers.
Particularly in a place like this.
= [🜂]
By the time Lillian and Heather made it to the shared Sublevel Three cafeteria to eat their last meal before calling it a day, they were fairly certain the sun had already risen, all the way up on the surface.
Not that they'd notice it, of course, or even particularly care; just like with everything else, the two rarely -- if ever -- followed the expectations of others. Particularly when said expectations were as widely accepted and limiting as that of the day and night cycle.
Still: when they took up their trays and loaded their food, they had to admit the place was no longer deserted, as it mostly would be during the night. Now, dozens of personnel were coming in. They were almost exclusively Janitorial & Maintenance staff, as it was an unwritten custom for them to begin work before the other sections did, and although they weren't a crowd quite yet, they were not what the two memeticist had expected.
Lillian sighed, and quickly sat down with Heather in the most remote table offered by the cafeteria, hoping its isolation would be enough to render them invisible to the others. She didn't hate the manual laborers of Site-43, specifically -- nobody in their right mind did. She just hated people, in general, so she thought it'd be better for her and them if she remained isolated from the forming group, especially this late into the night.
The moment their trays touched the table, Lillian sighed again, and started massaging her temples.
Heather nodded. "Yeah. Long day."
"Loooooong day." Lillian agreed. She blinked twice, and started playing with the fork, vaguely poking the foot on her plate. "Waste of time, too."
Heather gave her a look. "Come on, Lils. You know I couldn't say no. Not to Luca."
"Yeah. I know. That's why I'm complaining." She took a bite, only to realize she wasn't particularly hungry. She just had to wait for Heather to come to the same realization, then, before they could retire to their shared dormitory and retire for the night -- and before someone dumped another nonsense project on their lap.
Heather grinned. "Is someone jealous?"
Lillian scoffed, amused. "No. I just don't like not getting closure."
Her partner raised an eyebrow.
"We figured out the how but not the why, is my point," she said, propping herself up. "That's not good enough."
"And here I was, thinking you didn't want to dedicate any more time to this."
Lillian rolled her eyes. "You're hopeless," she said, but smiled.
They continued like that in silence for a couple more minutes, only occasionally getting interrupted by Heather actually eating -- much to Lillian's dismay -- and the sporadic chit-chat from J&M personnel making its way from the center of the room.
Eventually, though, Lillian admitted: "Fine. You're right. I'm mad we did end it like that. I wish we could've done more." She crossed her arms. "Not at the cost of our actual schedule, of course, but in general." She waved circles with her hand, and groaned. "It's bullshit we didn't get it."
"Oh, Lils, but we did. Come on. You unraveled a complicated meme in the time it takes most people to stop speaking Dutch from looking at it." She smiled faintly. "Besides: getting the context of it isn't our job. It's no use troubling yourself over something that's not your responsibility."
"Sure. But maybe actually knowing the reason they had it in their stash could help us with future nonsense." She sighed. "Even knowing why he made it would help."
Heather took another bite, and considered. When she next spoke, her meal was finished. "If it helps, I have two hours to spare tomorrow. I can dedicate them to reverse-engineering that thing, if you'd like. Maybe getting it to work for other languages would--"
Suddenly, her eyes went wide, as did Lillian's.
At the very same time, the two of them got it.
"Oh shit."
Lillian smiled, and both of them immediately stood up.
"Oh shit indeed."
= [🜂]
When they got back to Harry's office, they soon found out that even the wonders of coffee had an upper limit to their magic. They found it out the hard way, when they sat back in their chairs and immediately felt the length of the day weigh down on their shoulders the second they made themselves comfortable.
Luca endured, somehow, by browsing through the pages of the meme-free book and paying it barely any attention. The letters were starting to look very skimmable, turning into pretty much nonsense, but he was still standing, trying to make sense of what little he could make out from the actual text.
Harry, however, wasn't so lucky. He gave into the exhaustion pretty much instantly, half-laying on the desk, his glasses still on his head.
They stayed like that for a while until eventually -- and without much enthusiasm -- Luca said, "So, uh, do you speak any Dutch? Besides curses, I mean, and surface level stuff. That I can manage myself."
Luca's voice was barely more than a whisper, but it still rippled through the silent archives like thunder.
Harry jolted awake, almost hitting his head on the desk lamp above him. He looked like whatever it was he had been dreaming about, it had been far more engaging than the task at hand. "Uh, no? Not really. I know some few words, maybe, but..." He shrugged. Just like everyone of his background, he'd picked up French sometime along the way of personal life and academia, but he'd never been much of a polyglot. He much preferred the other kind of incomprehensible texts -- the ones they actually payed him to unravel.
"That's what Clio's for," Harry said, and smiled at his own joke. Luca had no way of knowing who Cliometria.aic was -- or indeed that she had been created for the express purpose of handling material incomprehensible or too memetically confusing for standard humans to get -- but that didn't stop Harry. Amusing nobody but himself was the expected baseline for his humor.
Eventually, though, his smile died down, and he became serious. "Why do you ask?"
Luca vaguely gestured towards the opened book. "I'm trying to see if there's anything interesting to anyone but myself in this, or if it's just fairy tales like the file said. Whether there's something in-between the lines."
Harry skewed his head. "Didn't you... read it, when you actually spoke Dutch? In those two hours, I mean?"
"Yeah, but it's not the same, is it? I have memories of it, sure, but... I have memories of what the text talks about, but those memories wouldn't really be the same. Translation wouldn't be as precise, either. Not exactly. It certainly seemed to click more when I actually understood the words properly. But now..." he blew out air. "Yeah."
"Hmm."
"Hmm?"
"What if that's the point?"
Luca blinked. "What do you mean?"
Harry scratched his head. "We've got a guy who very clearly cares about the plurality of human societies. Someone who recognizes the value of distinct cultural identities without turning that rhetoric into fascist bullshit." He tapped the book. "A guy that goes out of his way to not only create a book that can make you not just see the experience of the other, but actually //feel// it. Feel it as intended, not as a flattened localization.
"What if that's the whole point?"
Luca blinked again. Both of them were too tired for the revelation to particularly strike them as much as it normally would. "I... I suppose so? But doesn't that just feel too convenient to you? Too heartfelt?"
"Maybe." Harry smiled. "But in history, I've found, the most heartfelt answers are very often the best ones."
@@ @@
@@ @@
[[div class="blockquote"]]
**Item №:** SCP-XXXX {{[PENDING CLASSIFICATION]}}
**Object Class:** Safe
**Special Containment Procedures:** SCP-XXXX is freely available for use to all Foundation personnel, and is to remain so for the foreseeable future. To ensure maximum efficiency, its usage should first be cataloged and scheduled with the SCP-XXXX project lead, Senior Researcher Luca Armaros.
**Description:** SCP-XXXX is a leather-bound tome hand-written by Johan Huizinga, a Dutch historian, linguist, and thaumaturgist. The 159-page tome is entirely filled with richly illustrated Dutch fairy tales and stories from Dutch folklore.[[footnote]] Such as the stories of //Witte Wieven//, //Vrouwtje van Stavoren//, //Vliegende// Hollander, or //Bokkenrijders//. [[/footnote]]
SCP-XXXX was formerly the host of a circle class hermeneutic effect which changed the linguistic capabilities of subjects interacting with it by restricting it solely to Dutch for approximately two hours, even if the affected individual previously lacked any such skills. Following in-depth research, reverse engineering, and reprogramming work performed on the object by Drs. Lillihammer, Garrison, Blank, and Sr. Res. Armaros, it is now capable of instilling such an effect in a controlled manner. The duration of the effect -- as well as the instilled language -- are no longer limited to two hours and Dutch respectively; instead, the user is now capable of choosing from a wide array of 200 languages cataloged by the Foundation and embedded into the memetic effect, selecting the effect's intended duration.
As of writing, SCP-XXXX is utilized in all Site-43 and Site-19 contacts with ESL (English as a Second Language) subjects so as to ensure no vital information and/or perspectives are lost during the translation process which would otherwise inevitably occur during interviews, interrogations, and similar occasions.
**Addendum XXXX-1:** On 16/11/2024, two months following the completion of the changes done to SCP-XXXX by Foundation personnel, the object started to undergo spontaneous changes, inexplicably growing in size by almost 300 pages. Following interrogation, it was revealed that its properties have not changed, but its content has -- the fairytales contained inside were no longer solely Dutch in origin. Instead, the additional pages were found to contain material of similar nature from all around the globe, featuring legends and stories from France, China, India, Germany, Japan, Russia, and Portugal.
Further research is ongoing.
[[footnoteblock]]
[[/div]]
[[/==]]
@@ @@
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|
the-cold-cult-of-the-yukon | <html><body><div id="page-content">
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<p>This is an art exchange gift for my good friend <span style="color: #f36"><strong>🗿 stormbreath</strong></span>!</p>
<p>This was a tough article for me to write, because I've never written anything remotely like it before. That being said, I hope I did <span style="color: #f99"><strong>crewtime</strong></span> justice! They're a fun character to read about and write for, and I had a blast figuring out what kind of story I wanted to tell. Enjoy!</p>
<p>Your Friend,<br/>
<span style="color: #b00000"><strong>youseeinthedark</strong></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #f99"><strong>crewtime</strong></span> 12/25/24 (WED) 14:21:28 #94926937</p>
<hr/>
<p>Merry Christmas and happy holidays, Parawatch. I hope you're all bundled up this winter season, as I have quite the cold case to share with you all. The records on this one are very few and far between, but I had a friend in Canada help me with some ground research.</p>
<p>At 7:56 PM on December 24th, 1999, a woman was kidnapped by two robed figures in front of one Mrs. Laura Chance's residence in rural Canada. Within two hours a manhunt unveiled a secret cult, merely moments after a ritualistic killing deep in the Yukon woodlands. Suspects were locked up, cleanup crews called, the incident tucked away, and the town utterly shaken to its core. A frightening and chilling case for sure — but, ultimately, a mundane one.</p>
<p>What makes this case cold is the fact that, in spite of the tiny size of the town, no one knew who the kidnapped woman was.</p>
</div>
<div class="blockquote">
<p><span style="color: #f99"><strong>crewtime</strong></span> 12/25/24 (WED) 14:21:50 #94926938</p>
<hr/>
<p>Mrs. Laura Chance, age 62 and recently widowed, lived by herself in a three bedroom home just on the edge of Watson Lake, Canada. She spent most of her time knitting, reading, and watching television, occasionally visiting friends in the neighborhood. On this particular Christmas Eve in 1999, however, she's busy cleaning her home as the holiday spirit begins to set in, dutifully setting plates and hanging up decorations.</p>
<p>At precisely 7:56 PM MST — known only because Mrs. Chance checked her watch moments earlier — a woman's scream echoes across the house. Dropping everything, Mrs. Chance runs to her front door, and is met with a terrifying sight: a cloaked figure dragging a screaming, kicking woman across her front lawn towards an unmarked black van. After a few moments of shock, she dashes for the landline and dials emergency services.</p>
<p>Mrs. Chance speaks frantically into the phone. Although her report is sporadic and takes random turns, the dispatcher seems to pick up exactly what she's saying. Within mere minutes, a cop car is already set and ready to go. The hunt is on.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, officers in the area are quite quick to respond. Although a majority of them are off for the holidays, several are still on duty and eager for some action. Within another fifteen minutes, two more police cars mobilize and began the search, with several more gearing up for action behind them.</p>
<p>Watson Lake, being a small Yukon town, is directly on the Alaska Highway. Getting in and out undetected is no simple feat this time of year. That meant that, with their quick work, the police could lock down the region fast and begin searching for the van with a high confidence of catching it quickly.</p>
<p>They would not have to look for long. The van is found rapidly, within an hour of the call, abandoned by the side of the road on the edge of town. The officers step out of their car and begin examination, immediately spotting three sets of clear footprints, trailing deep into the woods.</p>
<p>One set was uneven, and smaller than the other two. A perfect match, with not a second to lose. They had found a path straight to the perpetrators… and the victim.</p>
</div>
<div class="blockquote">
<p><span style="color: #f99"><strong>crewtime</strong></span> 12/25/24 (WED) 14:22:02 #94926939</p>
<hr/>
<p>Hot on the culprits' tails, the two officers at the scene — Christopher Cooper and Gwenda Dalton — set off without waiting for backup, relaying their plans to dispatch. The darkness and freezing snow means their progress is slow and difficult. However, the two persevere, even while the wind begins to pick up around them.</p>
<p>As the tracks deepen and become more defined, Officer Dalton notices a faint glow directly ahead of them, which she immediately mentions to dispatch. When they approach, the officers soon fall completely silent, and stop walking entirely. Christopher later commented:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>It was nightmarish — something you'd see out of a cheap horror film, but gritty and physical. Me 'n Gwenda just about stopped and stared for a minute, trying to comprehend what the hell we were witnessing. If what we were lookin' at was even real.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The officers' bodycams show several robed, hooded figures standing in a circle, their hands raised as the wind howls around them. In frame are the bones of several animals littering the area, and various objects hang from the nearby trees in a circle. In other words, a cliche cult circle, complete with a ringleader standing above a corpse.</p>
<p>The moment they catch their bearings, the duo draw their weapons and promptly jump into action. Startled, several of the figures flee into the woods at the sight of the officers, while several others seem to double over or clutch their heads. The leader, in the middle, is too preoccupied with their ritual to notice.</p>
<p>Dalton and Cooper make quick work of the group. Within minutes, nearly all the suspects still present are safely in custody, all having gone willingly. Save for one, that is: the aforementioned cult leader, who only began to struggle as the pair moved to arrest them. The other officers, arriving minutes later, help take the group in. The other cultists, however, are long gone — a prospective manhunt is called off almost immediately due to the weather.</p>
<p>Records on the suspects in custody are sparse. There is, however, a throughline between all the records that <em>are</em> public: the cultists either suffer from amnesia, or are all very good at pretending to. No one at the cult site — save for the leader, whose transcripts aren't anywhere I can find — could remember why they were there, or what they were trying to do.</p>
<p>The leader was one Ms. Catherine Polley, a 25-year-old who lived in the area. I couldn't find anything particularly noteworthy about her life, though apparently she had been caught stealing signs from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_Post_Forest">Sign Post Forest</a>, a local tourist trap, several weeks earlier. Similar — though heavily damaged — signs were found near the cult site. Besides that, though, all I could find was that she'd lived in the town her whole life, and apparently was an extremely bitter and spiteful person.</p>
<p>All these details on their own would be eyebrow-raising. A mass hysteria case led by a vindictive psychopath or people strung too far in over their heads, perhaps, but not necessarily supernatural.</p>
<p>What seals the deal for me is not the cultists. It's the body.</p>
</div>
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<p><span style="color: #f99"><strong>crewtime</strong></span> 12/25/24 (WED) 14:22:08 #94926940</p>
<hr/>
<p>It took almost no time for the police to determine that the woman was dead. Her body sat lifelessly in the now-darkened center of the cult site, snow beginning to bury her limbs. With the lead suspect in custody and the weather potentially causing issues, the shift supervisor gave approval for the body to be transferred to a nearby morgue for analysis.</p>
<p>The autopsy of the body took place on the 26th, after the holidays. Much to the surprise of the resident pathologist, no cause of death could be determined. There was no sign of physical injury (besides a broken wrist), blunt force trauma, toxicity buildup, or anything indicating foul play. Although hypothermia was the most likely cause of death, there was also nothing on the corpse that indicated death by exposure — save for some frostbite in the arms — and it seemed unlikely the cult would let her die naturally. The cause of death would ultimately be labeled as "<tt>Unknown, likely hypothermia.</tt>"</p>
<p>What's even more mysterious is that, in the ensuing days, the woman could not be identified at all. Her DNA, fingerprints, and dental records did not match anyone in any known registry. No one interviewed in the region could identify her, nor had ever even seen her before. Even a vehicle found near the location of the kidnapping — believed to be owned by the victim — could not be traced to a specific owner.</p>
<p>It was though she had simply materialized from thin air, for the sole purpose of being killed.</p>
<p>At this point, records become practically non-existent. My best guess is that CSIS (Canada's FBI-equivalent) got involved and shut their investigation under a tight lock. That, unfortunately, gives us almost nothing to work with. Whether they're just as puzzled as us or have long solved the case, I have no idea. What I <em>do</em> know, though, is that within a week, every single outlet that had previously been following the story completely dropped it. Within a year, no one was talking about it anymore at all.</p>
<p>My own efforts to unravel this mystery — or, at least, <em>write</em> about it — have been mostly fruitless. No missing persons cases across Canada or the US even remotely match her description. No one's come forward online claiming to have known her. Her car has no prior sightings or records associated with the license plate. Barely anyone even <em>mentions</em> the case anymore, even the content farms that pump out true crime stories. Dead end after dead end.</p>
<p>Was she from a parallel universe? Was the cult? Did the cult's ritual somehow partially summon her into existence? Why? Is the government involved? Is the victim a foreign government agent, attempting to infiltrate some random Yukon town? Did <em>she</em> even know how she got there? Did the fact it happen on Christmas have anything to do with it at all?</p>
<p>I have no idea. Truthfully, I don't think we'll ever really know. The whole thing reeks of conspiracy or a supernatural phenomenon. Whatever the case may be, we can only hope that she's at peace now, whoever she was.</p>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>
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<p><span style="color: #f99"><strong>crewtime</strong></span> 12/25/24 (WED) 14:25:29 #94926943</p>
<hr/>
<p>But that's not really a satisfying ending, and I wouldn't leave you all with nothing of substance to chew on.</p>
<p>About a year after I initially shelved this post, a friend of mine — who wishes to remain anonymous — told me they were taking a trip through the Yukon. I remembered this case, and asked them if they'd do some ground research for me. They said yes.</p>
<p>I wish I could say they cracked the case open, but all I've got is more questions. Still, I think the questions are different enough to make this case worth sharing now.</p>
<p>To start off, some newspaper clippings in the local library reveal the ultimate fate of Ms. Polley: first-degree murder, kidnapping, and property theft charges, incurring a life sentence. That feels a little overkill to me personally, especially since we don't even know who the victim is or how she died. But, I'm not Canadian, so who can say.</p>
<p>Her current whereabouts are unknown, though presumably she's behind bars.</p>
<p>A different clipping — buried deep in the library's archives — reveals more about the cult site itself, though I don't know how much it illuminates. There were several urns containing ground-up bones, crow feathers, and other cult-adjacent items. There was a single burnt Polaroid, though it was too damaged to be legible.</p>
<p>Perhaps most baffling, though, were several license plates, road signs, and other similar landmark items stolen from the aforementioned Sign Post Forest, scattered around the area. All of them seem to have had the names of places they were from removed, almost seamlessly. No clue what to make of that, personally.</p>
<p>After that, my friend didn't seem to make much further progress. Asking the townsfolk was mostly a dead end; no one knew anything more than we did, in spite of the fact that it happened in that very same town.</p>
<p>There was still one more lead that we wanted to follow through on, though: Laura Chance is still alive. She lives in the same three bedroom home, alone, twenty-five years later. She is currently eighty-seven, though is — from what I'm told — in relatively good health.</p>
<p>When they met, she invited my friend inside for tea, and they had a pleasant chat. I have a recording of the conversation. While I don't think all of it is particularly pertinent — Mrs. Chance only had a passing role in the whole affair, after all — I do think there was one particular comment that caught my eye. I'll leave it off on this note.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>Hm. After everything… I still don't know what to make of it, honestly. But I can tell you, my life's been emptier ever since it happened. I think seeing it on Christmas must've drained all the optimism out of me. A young girl pulled to her death right in front of my home, only years after my husband's passing… it hurt a fundamental part of my soul, I think.</em></p>
<p><em>A few days after the whole affair, the police came to ask me a couple of questions. I don't remember everything they said to me — I was just in so much shock — but… they showed me a picture of her face, and asked me, and I quote, "do you recognize her?". And as soon as I saw it, I just started breaking down, sobbing uncontrollably.</em></p>
<p><em>In all honesty… I</em> still <em>don't know why, all these years later. I had never seen her before in my life.</em></p>
</blockquote>
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<p>"<a href="/the-cold-cult-of-the-yukon">The Cold Cult of The Yukon</a>" by Yossipossi, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/the-cold-cult-of-the-yukon">https://scpwiki.com/the-cold-cult-of-the-yukon</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> night.mp3<br/>
<strong>Name:</strong> Scent of Night - Myuu<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> Myuu<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> "Royalty-Free Music | Just give credit"<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma3BFoEwjPI">Youtube</a><br/>
<strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Audio file repeats track four times.</p>
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This is an art exchange gift for my good friend ###f36|**🗿 stormbreath**##!
This was a tough article for me to write, because I've never written anything remotely like it before. That being said, I hope I did ##f99|**crewtime**## justice! They're a fun character to read about and write for, and I had a blast figuring out what kind of story I wanted to tell. Enjoy!
Your Friend,
###b00000|**youseeinthedark**##
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##f99|**crewtime**## 12/25/24 (WED) 14:21:28 #94926937
----
Merry Christmas and happy holidays, Parawatch. I hope you're all bundled up this winter season, as I have quite the cold case to share with you all. The records on this one are very few and far between, but I had a friend in Canada help me with some ground research.
At 7:56 PM on December 24th, 1999, a woman was kidnapped by two robed figures in front of one Mrs. Laura Chance's residence in rural Canada. Within two hours a manhunt unveiled a secret cult, merely moments after a ritualistic killing deep in the Yukon woodlands. Suspects were locked up, cleanup crews called, the incident tucked away, and the town utterly shaken to its core. A frightening and chilling case for sure -- but, ultimately, a mundane one.
What makes this case cold is the fact that, in spite of the tiny size of the town, no one knew who the kidnapped woman was.
[[/div]]
[[div class="blockquote"]]
##f99|**crewtime**## 12/25/24 (WED) 14:21:50 #94926938
----
Mrs. Laura Chance, age 62 and recently widowed, lived by herself in a three bedroom home just on the edge of Watson Lake, Canada. She spent most of her time knitting, reading, and watching television, occasionally visiting friends in the neighborhood. On this particular Christmas Eve in 1999, however, she's busy cleaning her home as the holiday spirit begins to set in, dutifully setting plates and hanging up decorations.
At precisely 7:56 PM MST — known only because Mrs. Chance checked her watch moments earlier — a woman's scream echoes across the house. Dropping everything, Mrs. Chance runs to her front door, and is met with a terrifying sight: a cloaked figure dragging a screaming, kicking woman across her front lawn towards an unmarked black van. After a few moments of shock, she dashes for the landline and dials emergency services.
Mrs. Chance speaks frantically into the phone. Although her report is sporadic and takes random turns, the dispatcher seems to pick up exactly what she's saying. Within mere minutes, a cop car is already set and ready to go. The hunt is on.
Surprisingly, officers in the area are quite quick to respond. Although a majority of them are off for the holidays, several are still on duty and eager for some action. Within another fifteen minutes, two more police cars mobilize and began the search, with several more gearing up for action behind them.
Watson Lake, being a small Yukon town, is directly on the Alaska Highway. Getting in and out undetected is no simple feat this time of year. That meant that, with their quick work, the police could lock down the region fast and begin searching for the van with a high confidence of catching it quickly.
They would not have to look for long. The van is found rapidly, within an hour of the call, abandoned by the side of the road on the edge of town. The officers step out of their car and begin examination, immediately spotting three sets of clear footprints, trailing deep into the woods.
One set was uneven, and smaller than the other two. A perfect match, with not a second to lose. They had found a path straight to the perpetrators... and the victim.
[[/div]]
[[div class="blockquote"]]
##f99|**crewtime**## 12/25/24 (WED) 14:22:02 #94926939
----
Hot on the culprits' tails, the two officers at the scene — Christopher Cooper and Gwenda Dalton — set off without waiting for backup, relaying their plans to dispatch. The darkness and freezing snow means their progress is slow and difficult. However, the two persevere, even while the wind begins to pick up around them.
As the tracks deepen and become more defined, Officer Dalton notices a faint glow directly ahead of them, which she immediately mentions to dispatch. When they approach, the officers soon fall completely silent, and stop walking entirely. Christopher later commented:
> //It was nightmarish — something you'd see out of a cheap horror film, but gritty and physical. Me 'n Gwenda just about stopped and stared for a minute, trying to comprehend what the hell we were witnessing. If what we were lookin' at was even real.//
The officers' bodycams show several robed, hooded figures standing in a circle, their hands raised as the wind howls around them. In frame are the bones of several animals littering the area, and various objects hang from the nearby trees in a circle. In other words, a cliche cult circle, complete with a ringleader standing above a corpse.
The moment they catch their bearings, the duo draw their weapons and promptly jump into action. Startled, several of the figures flee into the woods at the sight of the officers, while several others seem to double over or clutch their heads. The leader, in the middle, is too preoccupied with their ritual to notice.
Dalton and Cooper make quick work of the group. Within minutes, nearly all the suspects still present are safely in custody, all having gone willingly. Save for one, that is: the aforementioned cult leader, who only began to struggle as the pair moved to arrest them. The other officers, arriving minutes later, help take the group in. The other cultists, however, are long gone — a prospective manhunt is called off almost immediately due to the weather.
Records on the suspects in custody are sparse. There is, however, a throughline between all the records that //are// public: the cultists either suffer from amnesia, or are all very good at pretending to. No one at the cult site — save for the leader, whose transcripts aren't anywhere I can find — could remember why they were there, or what they were trying to do.
The leader was one Ms. Catherine Polley, a 25-year-old who lived in the area. I couldn't find anything particularly noteworthy about her life, though apparently she had been caught stealing signs from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_Post_Forest Sign Post Forest], a local tourist trap, several weeks earlier. Similar — though heavily damaged — signs were found near the cult site. Besides that, though, all I could find was that she'd lived in the town her whole life, and apparently was an extremely bitter and spiteful person.
All these details on their own would be eyebrow-raising. A mass hysteria case led by a vindictive psychopath or people strung too far in over their heads, perhaps, but not necessarily supernatural.
What seals the deal for me is not the cultists. It's the body.
[[/div]]
[[div class="blockquote"]]
##f99|**crewtime**## 12/25/24 (WED) 14:22:08 #94926940
----
It took almost no time for the police to determine that the woman was dead. Her body sat lifelessly in the now-darkened center of the cult site, snow beginning to bury her limbs. With the lead suspect in custody and the weather potentially causing issues, the shift supervisor gave approval for the body to be transferred to a nearby morgue for analysis.
The autopsy of the body took place on the 26th, after the holidays. Much to the surprise of the resident pathologist, no cause of death could be determined. There was no sign of physical injury (besides a broken wrist), blunt force trauma, toxicity buildup, or anything indicating foul play. Although hypothermia was the most likely cause of death, there was also nothing on the corpse that indicated death by exposure — save for some frostbite in the arms — and it seemed unlikely the cult would let her die naturally. The cause of death would ultimately be labeled as "{{Unknown, likely hypothermia.}}"
What's even more mysterious is that, in the ensuing days, the woman could not be identified at all. Her DNA, fingerprints, and dental records did not match anyone in any known registry. No one interviewed in the region could identify her, nor had ever even seen her before. Even a vehicle found near the location of the kidnapping — believed to be owned by the victim — could not be traced to a specific owner.
It was though she had simply materialized from thin air, for the sole purpose of being killed.
At this point, records become practically non-existent. My best guess is that CSIS (Canada's FBI-equivalent) got involved and shut their investigation under a tight lock. That, unfortunately, gives us almost nothing to work with. Whether they're just as puzzled as us or have long solved the case, I have no idea. What I //do// know, though, is that within a week, every single outlet that had previously been following the story completely dropped it. Within a year, no one was talking about it anymore at all.
My own efforts to unravel this mystery — or, at least, //write// about it — have been mostly fruitless. No missing persons cases across Canada or the US even remotely match her description. No one's come forward online claiming to have known her. Her car has no prior sightings or records associated with the license plate. Barely anyone even //mentions// the case anymore, even the content farms that pump out true crime stories. Dead end after dead end.
Was she from a parallel universe? Was the cult? Did the cult's ritual somehow partially summon her into existence? Why? Is the government involved? Is the victim a foreign government agent, attempting to infiltrate some random Yukon town? Did //she// even know how she got there? Did the fact it happen on Christmas have anything to do with it at all?
I have no idea. Truthfully, I don't think we'll ever really know. The whole thing reeks of conspiracy or a supernatural phenomenon. Whatever the case may be, we can only hope that she's at peace now, whoever she was.
[[/div]]
@@ @@
[[div class="blockquote"]]
##f99|**crewtime**## 12/25/24 (WED) 14:25:29 #94926943
----
But that's not really a satisfying ending, and I wouldn't leave you all with nothing of substance to chew on.
About a year after I initially shelved this post, a friend of mine — who wishes to remain anonymous — told me they were taking a trip through the Yukon. I remembered this case, and asked them if they'd do some ground research for me. They said yes.
I wish I could say they cracked the case open, but all I've got is more questions. Still, I think the questions are different enough to make this case worth sharing now.
To start off, some newspaper clippings in the local library reveal the ultimate fate of Ms. Polley: first-degree murder, kidnapping, and property theft charges, incurring a life sentence. That feels a little overkill to me personally, especially since we don't even know who the victim is or how she died. But, I'm not Canadian, so who can say.
Her current whereabouts are unknown, though presumably she's behind bars.
A different clipping — buried deep in the library's archives — reveals more about the cult site itself, though I don't know how much it illuminates. There were several urns containing ground-up bones, crow feathers, and other cult-adjacent items. There was a single burnt Polaroid, though it was too damaged to be legible.
Perhaps most baffling, though, were several license plates, road signs, and other similar landmark items stolen from the aforementioned Sign Post Forest, scattered around the area. All of them seem to have had the names of places they were from removed, almost seamlessly. No clue what to make of that, personally.
After that, my friend didn't seem to make much further progress. Asking the townsfolk was mostly a dead end; no one knew anything more than we did, in spite of the fact that it happened in that very same town.
There was still one more lead that we wanted to follow through on, though: Laura Chance is still alive. She lives in the same three bedroom home, alone, twenty-five years later. She is currently eighty-seven, though is — from what I'm told — in relatively good health.
When they met, she invited my friend inside for tea, and they had a pleasant chat. I have a recording of the conversation. While I don't think all of it is particularly pertinent — Mrs. Chance only had a passing role in the whole affair, after all — I do think there was one particular comment that caught my eye. I'll leave it off on this note.
> //Hm. After everything... I still don't know what to make of it, honestly. But I can tell you, my life's been emptier ever since it happened. I think seeing it on Christmas must've drained all the optimism out of me. A young girl pulled to her death right in front of my home, only years after my husband's passing... it hurt a fundamental part of my soul, I think.//
>
> //A few days after the whole affair, the police came to ask me a couple of questions. I don't remember everything they said to me — I was just in so much shock — but... they showed me a picture of her face, and asked me, and I quote, "do you recognize her?". And as soon as I saw it, I just started breaking down, sobbing uncontrollably.//
>
> //In all honesty... I// still //don't know why, all these years later. I had never seen her before in my life.//
[[/div]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]]
> **Filename:** night.mp3
> **Name:** Scent of Night - Myuu
> **Author:** Myuu
> **License:** "Royalty-Free Music | Just give credit"
> **Source Link:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma3BFoEwjPI Youtube]
> **Additional Notes:** Audio file repeats track four times.
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-08T19:06:00 | [
"_licensebox",
"art-exchange",
"audio",
"christmas",
"creepypasta",
"crime-fiction",
"mystery",
"parawatch",
"tale"
] | The Cold Cult of The Yukon - SCP Foundation | 42 | [
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"parawatch-hub",
"crewtime",
"creepy-pasta",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed",
"top-rated-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458216323 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-cold-cult-of-the-yukon |
|
the-gray-tide | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<p>The cities were the first to drown, clogged by a tide of bodies balanced on the very edge of essential functionality.</p>
<p>In the early days, men built walkways over the flood, pathways of wooden beams that took you just above the grasp of the most limber of the undying where they lay, moaning and aching, leaking and rotting in the gutters and alleys and strewn across the paths of commerce.</p>
<p>But the tide kept rising.</p>
<p>It swelled up in a gray sea that scratched at the ankles of the world, that stared you in the eye, pressed up against cellar windows, crowded in the scant shade of overflow pipes and balconies, squelching wetly beneath tires and tread.</p>
<p>The stink, I believe, was the final straw.</p>
<p>In those early days in the high summer the wet heat would sink over the cities like a shroud and the asphalt would ripple and the smell of undeath would rise in a wave almost visible, white-misted and ghostly, though no one then believed in ghosts anymore, rising from the slums and the sewers and the sub-basements hand-in-hand with the wailing (a noisome smell), to the high-rises, to the palaces and the keeps where those yet limber, yet vital, squatted in opulence.</p>
<p>It spoke to them of inevitability, so of course, they ordered it buried.</p>
<p>Came the outcry then, to carry the undying <em>out</em>. Snatched and piled into the backs of a fleet of white wagons, carried into the heart of the open country. Burn-pits and shallow, writhing graves, softly susurrant indentations that for a time kept the wailing, the stink away. Thousands of them across the wide country, denoted by fences and concertina wire and birds, of course, roosting in flocks a million wide, a carpet of cooing, fluttering red-flecked feathers lining the pits from end to end.</p>
<p>The undying were gone, for a time, and except for the routine trundle of white wagons the cities were quiet again. But we had eternity. And they had eternity.</p>
<p>And they came back.</p>
<p>Inching, squirming, end-to-end, dripping out of the ground, oozing like rancid oil, a river of gray flowing back, back up the roads towards the cities and the sun, a column of crawling billions. What was there to do, in the face of eternity? Heaven was empty, hell was barred, so where were they to go? Silence the screams, stifle the stink, keep the damned out of the sun. Eventually, we came to a solution.</p>
<p>Heaven was empty, hell was barred.</p>
<p>We made our own.</p>
<p>The first of the ships was named <em>Necessity</em>.</p>
<p>The dead (for now there is no distinction), are piled here, in the hold, in dripping casks five-high. The weight of the bodies keeps the most limber amongst them still, shifting softly beneath clammy, glistening gray flesh. They claw and grasp miserably at each other, limbs intertwined with surprising strength, one dead thing of many heads, of many arms. Great iron chains and leaden weights are dropped amongst them at random and the dead grip these as tightly as they hold all things. They scratch and claw and after each voyage steward-boys are sent into the hold with lanterns and cloth and buckets of water, to wash away the carpet of left-over fingernails, embedded into the rivets and seams. It does little for the smell.</p>
<p>When the voyage is underway the crew plugs their ears with wax to stifle the reedy moans that echo like a dirge off of the metal sides of the hold. Even then, the sound carries through the frame of the ship and you can feel it if you press your hand against the deck or the railing or the sides of the crew-quarters, overcoming the thrum of the engines. Birds flock and follow us as we set off from the dock, the strongest amongst them straining to linger with us until the end.</p>
<p>The voyage takes a day and a night. Some of the older crew manage sleep. The youngest huddle in the cabins, smoking and playing cards.They stare at each-other with gray-rimmed eyes and ignore inevitability as it writhes and moans scant feet below them. They comfort themselves with the immortality of purpose. So long as they are useful, they say, they will not be counted amongst the dead. Those who ferry the dead- they cannot die.</p>
<p>They alone escape the hold.</p>
<p>The hold is patient. It knows they are wrong, and it is patient in its waiting.</p>
<p>At the end of the journey is a pier of marble, jutting from the waves. The scant seabirds still following flock atop it, relieved at a respite for their tired wings. They wait for a feast.</p>
<p>The ship comes to a stop. The great engine is silenced. It does not release anchor. The gates to the hold are opened, just above the waterline. On the deck above, cauldrons of fat are rendered into water. The boil is poured down iron grates in the decking, down into the hold. The ship has a chaplain, an old drinker with liver-spotted skin and pale blue eyes half blind.</p>
<p>He is roused from his incensed, alcoholic stupor and drags himself in his spotted tabard to the stained lectern at the bow of the ship. He gives rites to the dead. He, alone of the crew, does not plug his ears with wax. He has deafened them. He hears their cries nonetheless.</p>
<p><em>Per istam sanctan unctionem et suam piissimam misericordiam, indulgeat tibi Dominus quidquid per (visum, audtiotum, odorátum, gustum et locutiónem, tactum, gressum deliquisti)</em></p>
<p>The captain turns an ancient key. There is a clanking of gears, a clever mechanism. The floor of the hold tilts inexorably towards the open gates.</p>
<p>The dead slide softly into the black water. The birds flock and feast.</p>
<p>The name of the ship is <em>Necessity</em>. It is one of many.</p>
</div></body></html> |
[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
The cities were the first to drown, clogged by a tide of bodies balanced on the very edge of essential functionality.
In the early days, men built walkways over the flood, pathways of wooden beams that took you just above the grasp of the most limber of the undying where they lay, moaning and aching, leaking and rotting in the gutters and alleys and strewn across the paths of commerce.
But the tide kept rising.
It swelled up in a gray sea that scratched at the ankles of the world, that stared you in the eye, pressed up against cellar windows, crowded in the scant shade of overflow pipes and balconies, squelching wetly beneath tires and tread.
The stink, I believe, was the final straw.
In those early days in the high summer the wet heat would sink over the cities like a shroud and the asphalt would ripple and the smell of undeath would rise in a wave almost visible, white-misted and ghostly, though no one then believed in ghosts anymore, rising from the slums and the sewers and the sub-basements hand-in-hand with the wailing (a noisome smell), to the high-rises, to the palaces and the keeps where those yet limber, yet vital, squatted in opulence.
It spoke to them of inevitability, so of course, they ordered it buried.
Came the outcry then, to carry the undying //out//. Snatched and piled into the backs of a fleet of white wagons, carried into the heart of the open country. Burn-pits and shallow, writhing graves, softly susurrant indentations that for a time kept the wailing, the stink away. Thousands of them across the wide country, denoted by fences and concertina wire and birds, of course, roosting in flocks a million wide, a carpet of cooing, fluttering red-flecked feathers lining the pits from end to end.
The undying were gone, for a time, and except for the routine trundle of white wagons the cities were quiet again. But we had eternity. And they had eternity.
And they came back.
Inching, squirming, end-to-end, dripping out of the ground, oozing like rancid oil, a river of gray flowing back, back up the roads towards the cities and the sun, a column of crawling billions. What was there to do, in the face of eternity? Heaven was empty, hell was barred, so where were they to go? Silence the screams, stifle the stink, keep the damned out of the sun. Eventually, we came to a solution.
Heaven was empty, hell was barred.
We made our own.
The first of the ships was named //Necessity//.
The dead (for now there is no distinction), are piled here, in the hold, in dripping casks five-high. The weight of the bodies keeps the most limber amongst them still, shifting softly beneath clammy, glistening gray flesh. They claw and grasp miserably at each other, limbs intertwined with surprising strength, one dead thing of many heads, of many arms. Great iron chains and leaden weights are dropped amongst them at random and the dead grip these as tightly as they hold all things. They scratch and claw and after each voyage steward-boys are sent into the hold with lanterns and cloth and buckets of water, to wash away the carpet of left-over fingernails, embedded into the rivets and seams. It does little for the smell.
When the voyage is underway the crew plugs their ears with wax to stifle the reedy moans that echo like a dirge off of the metal sides of the hold. Even then, the sound carries through the frame of the ship and you can feel it if you press your hand against the deck or the railing or the sides of the crew-quarters, overcoming the thrum of the engines. Birds flock and follow us as we set off from the dock, the strongest amongst them straining to linger with us until the end.
The voyage takes a day and a night. Some of the older crew manage sleep. The youngest huddle in the cabins, smoking and playing cards.They stare at each-other with gray-rimmed eyes and ignore inevitability as it writhes and moans scant feet below them. They comfort themselves with the immortality of purpose. So long as they are useful, they say, they will not be counted amongst the dead. Those who ferry the dead- they cannot die.
They alone escape the hold.
The hold is patient. It knows they are wrong, and it is patient in its waiting.
At the end of the journey is a pier of marble, jutting from the waves. The scant seabirds still following flock atop it, relieved at a respite for their tired wings. They wait for a feast.
The ship comes to a stop. The great engine is silenced. It does not release anchor. The gates to the hold are opened, just above the waterline. On the deck above, cauldrons of fat are rendered into water. The boil is poured down iron grates in the decking, down into the hold. The ship has a chaplain, an old drinker with liver-spotted skin and pale blue eyes half blind.
He is roused from his incensed, alcoholic stupor and drags himself in his spotted tabard to the stained lectern at the bow of the ship. He gives rites to the dead. He, alone of the crew, does not plug his ears with wax. He has deafened them. He hears their cries nonetheless.
//Per istam sanctan unctionem et suam piissimam misericordiam, indulgeat tibi Dominus quidquid per (visum, audtiotum, odorátum, gustum et locutiónem, tactum, gressum deliquisti)//
The captain turns an ancient key. There is a clanking of gears, a clever mechanism. The floor of the hold tilts inexorably towards the open gates.
The dead slide softly into the black water. The birds flock and feast.
The name of the ship is //Necessity//. It is one of many.
| 2025-01-08T02:45:00 | [
"bleak",
"end-of-death",
"horror",
"tale"
] | the gray tide - SCP Foundation | 15 | [] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed",
"shortest-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458212941 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-gray-tide |
|
the-lake-oahe-monster | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div class="preview">
<p>"This is absolutely disgusting."</p>
</div>
<div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-{$first} earthworm--old-syntax-last-{$last} earthworm--old-syntax-hub-{$hub} {$class}">
<div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="Biweekly">
<p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/biweekly">Biweekly</a></p>
</div>
<div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="The Lake Oahe Monster">
<p><a href="/">The Lake Oahe Monster</a></p>
</div>
<div class="last earthworm__next" data-title='UIU Location Dossier: "Site 19"'>
<p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/site-19-dossier">UIU Location Dossier: "Site 19"</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>"Well, this is fuckin' nasty," mumbled Dee, a shovel in their right hand.</p>
<p>"Quit complaining and start cleaning," replied Moose, their boss and best friend.</p>
<p>In front of the janitors lay the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/welcome-to-site-19">Safe Cleanup Professionals'</a> biggest job yet— a colossal, rotting carcass, belonging to some dead animal, probably a whale or something that had washed up on the shore of the lake. In the past years, the buildup of filth in Pierre had been getting worse and worse, and the SCP Foundation had procured a lucrative contract with the city to clean it up.</p>
<p>The janitors themselves, however, were not as pleased with this. The carcass's decaying flesh stank to high hell, and its exposed bones jutted out at awkward angles. Dee stared at it with disgust, and they could've sworn it was staring back with its empty eyes. It was fascinating, in a morbid sort of way.</p>
<p>"What the hell is this thing doing here anyway? Why would there be a <em>sea</em> monster in a <em>lake</em>?"</p>
<p>"Well, whatever it is, I want it gone by the hour. Dee, Gears, get shoveling."</p>
<p>"Hmph," Dee grumbled. "This is absolutely <em>disgusting</em>." They pulled out their shovel and turned to Gears, when they heard a growl from behind them.</p>
<p>"Moose, was that your stomach? I told you not to skip lunch!"</p>
<p>Moose was not behind them, as they had gone to the truck to get their custom-made fifteen-foot-long plastic bag for the dead behemoth. The only thing that <em>was</em> behind Dee was the massive animal's corpse, flies buzzing around it. Dee looked closer and realized that it had moved. <em>No— it couldn't have. It's just some dead animal,</em> they thought. <em>Did it?</em></p>
<p>"Hey, Gears, did you see that?"</p>
<p>"What are you referring to?" Gears responded. He was staring blankly out at the lake, avoiding eye contact with the carcass.</p>
<p>"…Never mind. Just help me get rid of this mess so we can get out of here."</p>
<p>"Right. I suppose I should be taking notes."</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="color: green"><strong>Safe Cleanup Protocol:</strong> Object must be cleaned up as soon as possible.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: green"><strong>Description:</strong> Object is a large, vaguely reptile-like creature of unknown origin.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>"It's dead. Put that it's dead," Moose said, peering over Gears' shoulder, having returned with a sizable plastic bag.</p>
<p>"Are we <em>sure</em> it's dead?" Dee asked, nervously looking over at the carcass. Its fin-like limbs were sprawled out on the sand, a mop of decaying flesh covered its skull, and blood dripped from its maw onto the mud below. Dee could taste the stench of its fly-swarmed intestines in their mouth.</p>
<p>"I didn't include that information for a reason. Having been employed at the Foundation for three years, one's expectations may not necessarily align with reality when it comes to cleaning operations," Gears remarked.</p>
<p>"Oh, don't be silly, guys," Moose replied, putting their disposable gloves on. "It may look creepy but it really is just some dead animal. Now, let's get shoveling,"</p>
<p>With that, the three got to work, using their shovels to scoop up mounds of creature's flesh, and heaving it into the bag. Dee wondered how they would transport the remains back to Site 19, given that it weighed over two thousand pounds. The repugnant stench emanating from the pile of rotting flesh filled the air, only made worse by humid the August heat. Dee could feel the sliminess of the dead animal's fatty tissue through their gloves, which when stepped on produced a sickening <em>squelch.</em> Moose, too, loathed every bit of this cleanup job, though as the boss they had to retain their composure as the three shoveled heaps of bones and tendons into the bag. Gears was the most calm; of the three, he had been a Safe Cleanup Professional the longest, and as a result he was used to these things. Nonetheless, he too had reservations about this job, though they didn't inhibit his work ethic.</p>
<p>Over the course of the next hour, the plastic bag continued to fill with decaying tissue as the three toiled away in the late summer heat. It was as Dee was shoveling in a particularly sticky clump of sinew and bone that they heard a bellowing come from the creature's mouth.</p>
<p>"Uh, Moose? Gears? You hear that?"</p>
<p>Moose looked up. "Hmm?"</p>
<p>"Did you not hear the creature growl? It's like—"</p>
<p>"Like it's still alive?</p>
<p>"Well, yeah."</p>
<p>Moose rolled their eyes dismissively. "Don't worry about it— it was probably just air being released. Keep cleaning, we're almost done."</p>
<p>The last part of the remains that needed to be hauled into the bag was the head of the leviathan, which lay on the muddy ground connected to the rest of the body by strings of sinew and broken bones. The stench emanating from the creature's mouth made Dee regret having eaten lunch a couple hours prior. Nonetheless, ignoring the stink and the low growling that Moose was so sure was normal, Dee shoveled the last of it into the plastic bag, and Gears tied it shut.</p>
<p>"Alright, well done team," said Moose. "Pat yourselves on the back— preferably after taking your gloves off. I'll call the city and tell them we're done here."</p>
<p>Just as Moose was about to dial in the number for the local authorities, the bag began to shake.</p>
<p>"What the fuck?" exclaimed Dee.</p>
<p>"It appears our specimen may still have some life in it after all," Gears replied.</p>
<p>"Ew, shit, get away from it!" Dee slowly backed away from the bag, which was twitching violently, shaking and rattling as if the lifeless remains of the creature were fighting to escape their prison. The three janitors retreated slowly from the grotesque spectacle; the plastic bag came apart at the seams, with bony claws tearing through the polyester and writhing about in the open summer air. The groaning of the fallen behemoth drew in air to colossal, decaying lungs with a dreadful moan that made Dee wince; still, they were frozen in horror as they gazed upon their hard work unwrapping itself like a burrito of flesh and tissue. Slowly, the deceased leviathan rose, the muddy earth trembling as it did, with a malignant glimmer in its once-dead eyes.</p>
<p>For a moment, the cleanup crew and the monster stared at one another in silence; Dee could feel their heart pounding in their chest, now faced with the living, breathing carcass. The reptilian creature's hollow eyes glinted yellow, its decrepit flesh dangling in a mop to the side of its skeletal head. The entire bony frame of the monster was held together by threadbare strands of tissue; flesh, meat, and bone all conglomerated together into a revolting, fifteen-foot abomination with a sickening appearance.</p>
<p>The beast gave a low growl, and muttered a single word.</p>
<p><span class="disgusting"><em>"Disgusting."</em></span></p>
<p>The creature lunged at Dee first, snarling and snapping its jaws, nearly putting a gash into their stomach. Dee stumbled backwards, wielding their shovel in an attempt to defend themselves. The creature trundled towards them; Moose swung with their own shovel, missing entirely, before the creature snapped again. As the monster closed in on Dee, it gave a sickening roar, with spittle dripping from its mouth onto the muddy grass, melting it on contact. The creature reared up to take a bite out of its victim's stomach, when its jaws were slammed shut by Gears, who had rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.</p>
<p>"Oh my god— thanks, Gears!"</p>
<p>"Don't talk. Back away."</p>
<p>The monster thrashed, swinging at Gears with its claws, and he released the animal just in time to avoid a nasty slash to his chest. Jaws dripping with rancid saliva, it lumbered slowly towards Moose next. They hit it squarely in the snout with their shovel, briefly disorienting the creature. Roaring, it pounced at Moose, but Gears was ready with his shovel again, sticking it between the animal's jaws. The creature clamped down on the shovel handle, snapping the wood in half.</p>
<p>"What are you guys doing? Run!" Dee yelled, dragging Moose back to their feet. While the creature took a moment to swallow Gears' shovel, the three hastily retreated from the lakeside. As Dee turned back to take another look at the beast, they watched it rapidly shed its own skin, leaving behind a pile of atrophied flesh on the ground. The creature opened its mouth, and burped loudly.</p>
<p>The creature snarled, and charged at the three janitors with unexpected speed. Dee, Moose, and Gears continued to sprint as fast as they possibly good, this time towards the road. Adrenaline filled their veins, and none dared look backward as the rhythmic thumping of scaly claws on the ground grew louder and closer.</p>
<p>"Left!" Dee shouted as the three approached the roadside, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of traffic.</p>
<p>The creature trampled towards them, crossing onto the road, with a roar louder than even the engines of the oncoming traffic. Cars swerved around the creature as it pursued the three, with many pulling over on the side of the road to take pictures of the gigantic lizard stomping down the lanes. The janitors running up the roadside could smell its rancid breath as it closed in, its jaws open wide and dripping with saliva.</p>
<p><em>WHAM.</em></p>
<p>A twenty-ton semi-truck had collided with the beast, sending the monster reeling onto its side.</p>
<p>The big rig pulled over on the side of the road. A tall, burly man in a red baseball cap and a tank top climbed out of the driver's seat.</p>
<p>"Aw hell, was that your, uh, crocodile?" he asked with concern.</p>
<p>"Uh, something like that," Moose replied.</p>
<p>"Sorry y'all, that one's on me."</p>
<p>As cars swerved to avoid the massive incapacitated lake monster fallen on the side of the road, Gears inspected the fallen animal. "It's down, but not out. I suggest we make haste," he said.</p>
<p>"Name's Radcliffe Gerald." The truck driver extended a meaty hand to Moose, who shook his with their own, much skinnier fingers.</p>
<p>"I'm Tilda Moose. Safe Cleanup Professionals. We're trying to clean up after this animal. You… wouldn't happen to be currently employed, would you?"</p>
<p>"Nope, still lookin' for—"</p>
<p>"Good, you're hired. Help us get this creature in the back of your truck."</p>
<div class="licensebox">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div>
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<p>Cite this page as:</p>
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<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/the-lake-oahe-monster">The Lake Oahe Monster</a>" by ubergoober, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/the-lake-oahe-monster">https://scpwiki.com/the-lake-oahe-monster</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
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</div></body></html> |
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:cleaning-services">:scp-wiki:theme:cleaning-services</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]]
[[module css]]
.disgusting {
font-family: Verdana;
}
[[/module]]
=====
[[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a>
text="This is absolutely disgusting."]]
=====
[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a>
| previous-url= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/biweekly
| previous-title= Biweekly
| next-url= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/site-19-dossier
| next-title= UIU Location Dossier: "Site 19"
| hub-url=/
| hub-title=The Lake Oahe Monster
]]
"Well, this is fuckin' nasty," mumbled Dee, a shovel in their right hand.
"Quit complaining and start cleaning," replied Moose, their boss and best friend.
In front of the janitors lay the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/welcome-to-site-19 Safe Cleanup Professionals'] biggest job yet-- a colossal, rotting carcass, belonging to some dead animal, probably a whale or something that had washed up on the shore of the lake. In the past years, the buildup of filth in Pierre had been getting worse and worse, and the SCP Foundation had procured a lucrative contract with the city to clean it up.
The janitors themselves, however, were not as pleased with this. The carcass's decaying flesh stank to high hell, and its exposed bones jutted out at awkward angles. Dee stared at it with disgust, and they could've sworn it was staring back with its empty eyes. It was fascinating, in a morbid sort of way.
"What the hell is this thing doing here anyway? Why would there be a //sea// monster in a //lake//?"
"Well, whatever it is, I want it gone by the hour. Dee, Gears, get shoveling."
"Hmph," Dee grumbled. "This is absolutely //disgusting//." They pulled out their shovel and turned to Gears, when they heard a growl from behind them.
"Moose, was that your stomach? I told you not to skip lunch!"
Moose was not behind them, as they had gone to the truck to get their custom-made fifteen-foot-long plastic bag for the dead behemoth. The only thing that //was// behind Dee was the massive animal's corpse, flies buzzing around it. Dee looked closer and realized that it had moved. //No-- it couldn't have. It's just some dead animal,// they thought. //Did it?//
"Hey, Gears, did you see that?"
"What are you referring to?" Gears responded. He was staring blankly out at the lake, avoiding eye contact with the carcass.
"...Never mind. Just help me get rid of this mess so we can get out of here."
"Right. I suppose I should be taking notes."
> ##green|**Safe Cleanup Protocol:** Object must be cleaned up as soon as possible.##
>
> ##green|**Description:** Object is a large, vaguely reptile-like creature of unknown origin.##
"It's dead. Put that it's dead," Moose said, peering over Gears' shoulder, having returned with a sizable plastic bag.
"Are we //sure// it's dead?" Dee asked, nervously looking over at the carcass. Its fin-like limbs were sprawled out on the sand, a mop of decaying flesh covered its skull, and blood dripped from its maw onto the mud below. Dee could taste the stench of its fly-swarmed intestines in their mouth.
"I didn't include that information for a reason. Having been employed at the Foundation for three years, one's expectations may not necessarily align with reality when it comes to cleaning operations," Gears remarked.
"Oh, don't be silly, guys," Moose replied, putting their disposable gloves on. "It may look creepy but it really is just some dead animal. Now, let's get shoveling,"
With that, the three got to work, using their shovels to scoop up mounds of creature's flesh, and heaving it into the bag. Dee wondered how they would transport the remains back to Site 19, given that it weighed over two thousand pounds. The repugnant stench emanating from the pile of rotting flesh filled the air, only made worse by humid the August heat. Dee could feel the sliminess of the dead animal's fatty tissue through their gloves, which when stepped on produced a sickening //squelch.// Moose, too, loathed every bit of this cleanup job, though as the boss they had to retain their composure as the three shoveled heaps of bones and tendons into the bag. Gears was the most calm; of the three, he had been a Safe Cleanup Professional the longest, and as a result he was used to these things. Nonetheless, he too had reservations about this job, though they didn't inhibit his work ethic.
Over the course of the next hour, the plastic bag continued to fill with decaying tissue as the three toiled away in the late summer heat. It was as Dee was shoveling in a particularly sticky clump of sinew and bone that they heard a bellowing come from the creature's mouth.
"Uh, Moose? Gears? You hear that?"
Moose looked up. "Hmm?"
"Did you not hear the creature growl? It's like—"
"Like it's still alive?
"Well, yeah."
Moose rolled their eyes dismissively. "Don't worry about it-- it was probably just air being released. Keep cleaning, we're almost done."
The last part of the remains that needed to be hauled into the bag was the head of the leviathan, which lay on the muddy ground connected to the rest of the body by strings of sinew and broken bones. The stench emanating from the creature's mouth made Dee regret having eaten lunch a couple hours prior. Nonetheless, ignoring the stink and the low growling that Moose was so sure was normal, Dee shoveled the last of it into the plastic bag, and Gears tied it shut.
"Alright, well done team," said Moose. "Pat yourselves on the back-- preferably after taking your gloves off. I'll call the city and tell them we're done here."
Just as Moose was about to dial in the number for the local authorities, the bag began to shake.
"What the fuck?" exclaimed Dee.
"It appears our specimen may still have some life in it after all," Gears replied.
"Ew, shit, get away from it!" Dee slowly backed away from the bag, which was twitching violently, shaking and rattling as if the lifeless remains of the creature were fighting to escape their prison. The three janitors retreated slowly from the grotesque spectacle; the plastic bag came apart at the seams, with bony claws tearing through the polyester and writhing about in the open summer air. The groaning of the fallen behemoth drew in air to colossal, decaying lungs with a dreadful moan that made Dee wince; still, they were frozen in horror as they gazed upon their hard work unwrapping itself like a burrito of flesh and tissue. Slowly, the deceased leviathan rose, the muddy earth trembling as it did, with a malignant glimmer in its once-dead eyes.
For a moment, the cleanup crew and the monster stared at one another in silence; Dee could feel their heart pounding in their chest, now faced with the living, breathing carcass. The reptilian creature's hollow eyes glinted yellow, its decrepit flesh dangling in a mop to the side of its skeletal head. The entire bony frame of the monster was held together by threadbare strands of tissue; flesh, meat, and bone all conglomerated together into a revolting, fifteen-foot abomination with a sickening appearance.
The beast gave a low growl, and muttered a single word.
[[span class="disgusting"]]//"Disgusting."//[[/span]]
The creature lunged at Dee first, snarling and snapping its jaws, nearly putting a gash into their stomach. Dee stumbled backwards, wielding their shovel in an attempt to defend themselves. The creature trundled towards them; Moose swung with their own shovel, missing entirely, before the creature snapped again. As the monster closed in on Dee, it gave a sickening roar, with spittle dripping from its mouth onto the muddy grass, melting it on contact. The creature reared up to take a bite out of its victim's stomach, when its jaws were slammed shut by Gears, who had rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.
"Oh my god-- thanks, Gears!"
"Don't talk. Back away."
The monster thrashed, swinging at Gears with its claws, and he released the animal just in time to avoid a nasty slash to his chest. Jaws dripping with rancid saliva, it lumbered slowly towards Moose next. They hit it squarely in the snout with their shovel, briefly disorienting the creature. Roaring, it pounced at Moose, but Gears was ready with his shovel again, sticking it between the animal's jaws. The creature clamped down on the shovel handle, snapping the wood in half.
"What are you guys doing? Run!" Dee yelled, dragging Moose back to their feet. While the creature took a moment to swallow Gears' shovel, the three hastily retreated from the lakeside. As Dee turned back to take another look at the beast, they watched it rapidly shed its own skin, leaving behind a pile of atrophied flesh on the ground. The creature opened its mouth, and burped loudly.
The creature snarled, and charged at the three janitors with unexpected speed. Dee, Moose, and Gears continued to sprint as fast as they possibly good, this time towards the road. Adrenaline filled their veins, and none dared look backward as the rhythmic thumping of scaly claws on the ground grew louder and closer.
"Left!" Dee shouted as the three approached the roadside, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of traffic.
The creature trampled towards them, crossing onto the road, with a roar louder than even the engines of the oncoming traffic. Cars swerved around the creature as it pursued the three, with many pulling over on the side of the road to take pictures of the gigantic lizard stomping down the lanes. The janitors running up the roadside could smell its rancid breath as it closed in, its jaws open wide and dripping with saliva.
//WHAM.//
A twenty-ton semi-truck had collided with the beast, sending the monster reeling onto its side.
The big rig pulled over on the side of the road. A tall, burly man in a red baseball cap and a tank top climbed out of the driver's seat.
"Aw hell, was that your, uh, crocodile?" he asked with concern.
"Uh, something like that," Moose replied.
"Sorry y'all, that one's on me."
As cars swerved to avoid the massive incapacitated lake monster fallen on the side of the road, Gears inspected the fallen animal. "It's down, but not out. I suggest we make haste," he said.
"Name's Radcliffe Gerald." The truck driver extended a meaty hand to Moose, who shook his with their own, much skinnier fingers.
"I'm Tilda Moose. Safe Cleanup Professionals. We're trying to clean up after this animal. You... wouldn't happen to be currently employed, would you?"
"Nope, still lookin' for—"
"Good, you're hired. Help us get this creature in the back of your truck."
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-02T19:02:00 | [
"comedy",
"director-moose",
"doctor-gears",
"doctor-gerald",
"hard-to-destroy-reptile",
"tale"
] | The Lake Oahe Monster - SCP Foundation | 20 | [
"biweekly",
"site-19-dossier",
"welcome-to-site-19",
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"foundation-tales",
"shortest-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458168734 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-lake-oahe-monster |
|
the-pilot | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div class="preview">
<p>In which 173 gets a nice pedicure.</p>
</div>
<div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-{$first} earthworm--old-syntax-last-{$last} earthworm--old-syntax-hub-{$hub} {$class}">
<div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="{$previous-title}">
<p><a href="/">{$previous-title}</a></p>
</div>
<div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Cleanliness Guaranteed*">
<p><a href="/">Cleanliness Guaranteed*</a></p>
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<div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Welcome To Site 19!">
<p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/welcome-to-site-19">Welcome To Site 19!</a></p>
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<p>With crit from <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/voct" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(392303); return false;"><img alt="Voct" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=392303&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736232936" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=392303)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/voct" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(392303); return false;">Voct</a></span>, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/kilerpoyo" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6852037); return false;"><img alt="Kilerpoyo" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=6852037&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736232936" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=6852037)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/kilerpoyo" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6852037); return false;">Kilerpoyo</a></span>, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/yardbirdme" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8768711); return false;"><img alt="YardBirdMe" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8768711&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736232936" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8768711)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/yardbirdme" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8768711); return false;">YardBirdMe</a></span>, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ethagon" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5844683); return false;"><img alt="Ethagon" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5844683&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736232936" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5844683)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ethagon" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5844683); return false;">Ethagon</a></span>, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/awhryan" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8576390); return false;"><img alt="AwhRyan" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8576390&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736232936" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8576390)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/awhryan" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8576390); return false;">AwhRyan</a></span>, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/radian628" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9301014); return false;"><img alt="radian628" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=9301014&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736232936" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=9301014)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/radian628" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9301014); return false;">radian628</a></span>, and <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ubergoober" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8905380); return false;"><img alt="ubergoober" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8905380&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736232936" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8905380)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ubergoober" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8905380); return false;">ubergoober</a></span>.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/alzin-cdag">▸ More by this Author ◂</a></p>
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<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">F.A.Q.</a></p>
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<p>{$doesthisfixthebug}</p>
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</div>
<h1 id="toc0"><span>1973</span></h1>
<p>Fritz was there when the shit started flying.</p>
<p>"Son? Did you see my water bottle anywhere?"</p>
<p>The bloodshot bull limped in the right foreleg, but it quivered with energy and pain. Fritz watched his father Fred Williams carefully coax it into the harness, and saw it slightly calm as its legs elevated, its stomach suspended in a sling.</p>
<p>The offending foot raised to the eyeline, Fritz's father applied the starting grinder, to level the hoof and lay its cavities and fault lines bare. The hoof horn was far too pliant, its environs far too moist for far too long. Fritz's father applied the hoof-knife carefully. There was as much danger in too-flexible horn as there was in a blunt knife; it is far too easy to go too far.</p>
<p>And as five-year-old Fritz peered around the back end of the harness in curiosity, the shit began to fall.</p>
<p>The spray licked over his face like fire. His caked eyes stung and watered, and as he fell back screaming, it entered his mouth. Too much for him. Too much for the bull, the screaming.</p>
<p>The bull squirmed in the harness. It kicked, as much as its uplifted legs would allow, as it swung fore and aft, and hit Fritz's father in the neck. He fell back amid a clattering of his instruments, and the last Fritz knew before he was taken away, the bull still roared.</p>
<hr/>
<h1 id="toc1"><span>2003</span></h1>
<p>Fritz was there when the shit was a tidal wave.</p>
<p>His whole clique was there with him, surveying the site cheap enough for his new company's needs. An old Prometheus building Anna Scranton assured him was a real fixer-upper, only needing nineteen separate EPA Superfund operations to make it habitable.</p>
<p>The shipping container stood in the center of the warehouse, angled seventeen degrees from the wall. He prowled around it, rapping the metal to hear the ring. The container absorbed the sound. It was full.</p>
<p>So Fritz unlocked the doors and opened them wide to catch his inheritance.</p>
<p>And the shit flew.</p>
<p>The emulsion of blood and feces filled the container from top to bottom, and it poured out. It caught him in the eyes once more, but this time he knew enough not to scream.</p>
<p>As the flow abated, the Thing appeared, dripping.</p>
<p>It snapped. It twisted. It crucified.</p>
<p>The last that Fritz saw before he scrambled to a port-a-potty was a lump of concrete trying its absolute best to turn a head farther than the spine allowed, and failing, its efforts impeded by its bulky, cracked limbs.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1 id="toc2"><span><strong>…</strong></span></h1>
</div>
<p>Fritz fumbled to open his water bottle without opening his eyes. He poured it over his face, scrubbing the filth away with his other hand. A torrent of water. A trickle. Only when the water stopped dripping did he toss the bottle into the chemical-stinking toilet and open his eyes.</p>
<p>Eyes still stinging, he looked at his dirty reflection in the puddle on the floor and saw his five-year-old self inside.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Five-year-old Fritz turned away from the mirror. He heard whispers outside, blaming his father for keeping his focus on the bull and not making sure his son was all right. He crept out of the bathroom, hair still dripping and face still red from his lavations. He looked down at the bottle on the edge of the sink and anxiety crossed his face. He walked in the direction of the harness, clutching his father's water bottle the whole way.</p>
<hr/>
<p>35-year old Fritz looked down into the chemical toilet. He reached his arm in up to the shoulder. Finally, he pulled out the sewage-filled bottle. It was old and thin plastic, covered in rictus cracks, never meant to last more than a day. He traced the seams in the duct tape that kept it together.</p>
<p>Maybe it was just the port-a-potty fumes he was breathing, but Fritz felt an unmistakable connection to that day so many years ago.</p>
<p>He went back through his mind's eye. The construction and demolition tools in his truck. The widths of the building's doors. The patterns of the Thing's movement. Never resolving until he looked, like Schrödinger's cat…</p>
<p>And he pushed open the chemical toilet door, and closed his eyes.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Five-year-old Fritz crested the hill and stopped when he saw what his father was doing.</p>
<p>Fred Williams placed his hand on the bull's nose. He whispered to it softly, caressing its head and flanks. Finally, he knelt back down, tilted back his head, and closed his eyes in a wide smile, as if offering an opportunity for a second kick.</p>
<p>And the bull kicked Fred again. He fell back and cursed. The kick was made less by the harness, but it still hurt. Fritz rushed to him down the hill and offered him the water bottle.</p>
<p>Fred took the water bottle, and, rubbing his own neck, offered it to the bull. The bull grasped it in its jaws. Water fell frothing from its mouth as it drank. At last it dropped the bottle and offered its hoof once more.</p>
<hr/>
<p>35-year-old Fritz crawled through the abandoned building, his eyes firmly shut. He heard the scraping of concrete all around him. He continued his blind journey.</p>
<p>Leaving the building, Fritz at last opened his eyes. He stumbled to his truck, opened the side compartments, and pulled out the hammer, the chisel, and the hose. He looked back at the door of the building. The Thing stood behind it, far too big to fit through. And deathly still.</p>
<p>Fritz approached the Thing in the doorway. He ran his hand over its concrete hide and brushed away some of the caked effluence. Deep within it echoed a tremble.</p>
<p>He told it what he was going to do, step by step. With the hose, he filled the bottle with clean water once more, and poured it over the Thing's clogged concrete pores. Again and again he did this, interspersing with a pressurized hose spray, until the water ran clean down its body.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Fred took back his knife and commenced carving the hoof again. He squeezed various areas until he heard pain, and then focused his carving there. His scraping uncovered a small hole from which stinking liquid sprayed out, and the bull groaned in relief, the pressure in the cavity finally relieved.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Fritz tapped his chisel all over the Thing until he felt it shudder, and began his chiseling there. It was tough work, and concrete dust flew out and up into his lungs, but a spray of the hose here and there helped it coagulate on the ground. He tapped into a cavity from which putrescence flowed, and rinsed it out. The shuddering of the concrete switched frequency; the rattling was now a purr.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Fred exposed the whole of the hoof-horn cavity to the light. The unnatural hollow could trap no more blood or mud where it could bother the bull. He made sure to leave enough horn on the outer edge to support the bull's weight, and he glued on a block to keep the weight off the sensitive hollow until the hoof grew back. When the glue had set, he released the bull from the harness and backed away.</p>
<p>Tomorrow the neck injury he was ignoring would land him a several month stay in the hospital, worsened by the delay in treatment. Years from now his CTE from incidents like this would see Fritz crying over his deathbed.</p>
<p>But not today.</p>
<hr/>
<p>Fritz exposed the whole of the concrete cavity to the light. Where it became clear that the Thing's structural integrity was in danger, he propped it up with rebar. Someday, he hoped whatever animated the Thing would heal its wounds; the dark-and-light layers he had chiseled through implied a growth cycle.</p>
<p>And now came the question of what to do with the Thing.</p>
<p>A curious man would study it, hand it over to some great biology lab, and unlock great secrets of the universe.</p>
<p>A fearful man would lock it up in its box for the rest of time, afraid that what it did to his Council, it would do again.</p>
<p>A compassionate man would take it in as a pet, treating it with love, care, and respect, and retrain it from its murderous ways.</p>
<p>As Fritz trundled it tied-up on a dolly-cart through the building, he told it of his plan to make lots of money for the Safe Cleanup Professionals by hiring it out as a field-fertilizing, scarily effective scarecrow. Until then, he said, it would stay in its box.</p>
<p>Of course, it wouldn't do to have a soiled habitat for their moneymaker, would it? They'd have to schedule a cleaning once every… how often? He'd use <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/biweekly">precise-sounding yet ambiguous syntax</a> until they could figure out the right cleaning schedule.</p>
<p>And as he turned the corner, he saw his Council of '05 and remembered the massacre. He checked their pulses. Marion was still alive, as was Damian, Hiram, Reynold… it finally occurred to him to call an ambulance. The pain and overgrowth had inhibited the Thing's ability to kill, but the injuries were still severe.</p>
<p>The next day, there would be recriminations about how long it took him to care about his coworkers. The next day, someone would point out the flaws in how he had misinterpreted Schrödinger's Cat. Someone would speculate that the Thing's desire for a jump-scare would eventually overcome its preference for that jump scare to be visual, and so closing your eyes to deny it that was only a temporary measure. Someone would want to start a filing system on the dangerous or unusual cleanup jobs.</p>
<p>But now, he was flashing back to that day when he hugged his father as they watched the bull test out the leg as it walked away, growing more confident with the block, and galloping around the pen in excitement, and he took a sip, then and now, from his father's water bottle.</p>
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<p>"<a href="/the-pilot">The Pilot- The Original</a>" by Alzin Cdag, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/the-pilot">https://scpwiki.com/the-pilot</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:cleaning-services">:scp-wiki:theme:cleaning-services</a>]]
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|text=
In which 173 gets a nice pedicure.
]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a>
| previous-url=/
| previous-title=
| next-url= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/welcome-to-site-19
| next-title= Welcome To Site 19!
| hub-url=/
| hub-title=Cleanliness Guaranteed*
]]
[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">:scp-wiki:component:info-ayers</a>
|lang=en
|page=The Pilot
|authorPage=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/alzin-cdag
|comments=
With crit from [[*user Voct]], [[*user Kilerpoyo]], [[*user YardBirdMe]], [[*user Ethagon]], [[*user AwhRyan]], [[*user radian628]], and [[*user ubergoober]].
]]
+ 1973
Fritz was there when the shit started flying.
"Son? Did you see my water bottle anywhere?"
The bloodshot bull limped in the right foreleg, but it quivered with energy and pain. Fritz watched his father Fred Williams carefully coax it into the harness, and saw it slightly calm as its legs elevated, its stomach suspended in a sling.
The offending foot raised to the eyeline, Fritz's father applied the starting grinder, to level the hoof and lay its cavities and fault lines bare. The hoof horn was far too pliant, its environs far too moist for far too long. Fritz's father applied the hoof-knife carefully. There was as much danger in too-flexible horn as there was in a blunt knife; it is far too easy to go too far.
And as five-year-old Fritz peered around the back end of the harness in curiosity, the shit began to fall.
The spray licked over his face like fire. His caked eyes stung and watered, and as he fell back screaming, it entered his mouth. Too much for him. Too much for the bull, the screaming.
The bull squirmed in the harness. It kicked, as much as its uplifted legs would allow, as it swung fore and aft, and hit Fritz's father in the neck. He fell back amid a clattering of his instruments, and the last Fritz knew before he was taken away, the bull still roared.
------
+ 2003
Fritz was there when the shit was a tidal wave.
His whole clique was there with him, surveying the site cheap enough for his new company's needs. An old Prometheus building Anna Scranton assured him was a real fixer-upper, only needing nineteen separate EPA Superfund operations to make it habitable.
The shipping container stood in the center of the warehouse, angled seventeen degrees from the wall. He prowled around it, rapping the metal to hear the ring. The container absorbed the sound. It was full.
So Fritz unlocked the doors and opened them wide to catch his inheritance.
And the shit flew.
The emulsion of blood and feces filled the container from top to bottom, and it poured out. It caught him in the eyes once more, but this time he knew enough not to scream.
As the flow abated, the Thing appeared, dripping.
It snapped. It twisted. It crucified.
The last that Fritz saw before he scrambled to a port-a-potty was a lump of concrete trying its absolute best to turn a head farther than the spine allowed, and failing, its efforts impeded by its bulky, cracked limbs.
[[=]]
+ **...**
[[/=]]
Fritz fumbled to open his water bottle without opening his eyes. He poured it over his face, scrubbing the filth away with his other hand. A torrent of water. A trickle. Only when the water stopped dripping did he toss the bottle into the chemical-stinking toilet and open his eyes.
Eyes still stinging, he looked at his dirty reflection in the puddle on the floor and saw his five-year-old self inside.
------
Five-year-old Fritz turned away from the mirror. He heard whispers outside, blaming his father for keeping his focus on the bull and not making sure his son was all right. He crept out of the bathroom, hair still dripping and face still red from his lavations. He looked down at the bottle on the edge of the sink and anxiety crossed his face. He walked in the direction of the harness, clutching his father's water bottle the whole way.
-------
35-year old Fritz looked down into the chemical toilet. He reached his arm in up to the shoulder. Finally, he pulled out the sewage-filled bottle. It was old and thin plastic, covered in rictus cracks, never meant to last more than a day. He traced the seams in the duct tape that kept it together.
Maybe it was just the port-a-potty fumes he was breathing, but Fritz felt an unmistakable connection to that day so many years ago.
He went back through his mind's eye. The construction and demolition tools in his truck. The widths of the building's doors. The patterns of the Thing's movement. Never resolving until he looked, like Schrödinger's cat...
And he pushed open the chemical toilet door, and closed his eyes.
--------
Five-year-old Fritz crested the hill and stopped when he saw what his father was doing.
Fred Williams placed his hand on the bull's nose. He whispered to it softly, caressing its head and flanks. Finally, he knelt back down, tilted back his head, and closed his eyes in a wide smile, as if offering an opportunity for a second kick.
And the bull kicked Fred again. He fell back and cursed. The kick was made less by the harness, but it still hurt. Fritz rushed to him down the hill and offered him the water bottle.
Fred took the water bottle, and, rubbing his own neck, offered it to the bull. The bull grasped it in its jaws. Water fell frothing from its mouth as it drank. At last it dropped the bottle and offered its hoof once more.
--------
35-year-old Fritz crawled through the abandoned building, his eyes firmly shut. He heard the scraping of concrete all around him. He continued his blind journey.
Leaving the building, Fritz at last opened his eyes. He stumbled to his truck, opened the side compartments, and pulled out the hammer, the chisel, and the hose. He looked back at the door of the building. The Thing stood behind it, far too big to fit through. And deathly still.
Fritz approached the Thing in the doorway. He ran his hand over its concrete hide and brushed away some of the caked effluence. Deep within it echoed a tremble.
He told it what he was going to do, step by step. With the hose, he filled the bottle with clean water once more, and poured it over the Thing's clogged concrete pores. Again and again he did this, interspersing with a pressurized hose spray, until the water ran clean down its body.
---------
Fred took back his knife and commenced carving the hoof again. He squeezed various areas until he heard pain, and then focused his carving there. His scraping uncovered a small hole from which stinking liquid sprayed out, and the bull groaned in relief, the pressure in the cavity finally relieved.
--------
Fritz tapped his chisel all over the Thing until he felt it shudder, and began his chiseling there. It was tough work, and concrete dust flew out and up into his lungs, but a spray of the hose here and there helped it coagulate on the ground. He tapped into a cavity from which putrescence flowed, and rinsed it out. The shuddering of the concrete switched frequency; the rattling was now a purr.
--------
Fred exposed the whole of the hoof-horn cavity to the light. The unnatural hollow could trap no more blood or mud where it could bother the bull. He made sure to leave enough horn on the outer edge to support the bull's weight, and he glued on a block to keep the weight off the sensitive hollow until the hoof grew back. When the glue had set, he released the bull from the harness and backed away.
Tomorrow the neck injury he was ignoring would land him a several month stay in the hospital, worsened by the delay in treatment. Years from now his CTE from incidents like this would see Fritz crying over his deathbed.
But not today.
----------
Fritz exposed the whole of the concrete cavity to the light. Where it became clear that the Thing's structural integrity was in danger, he propped it up with rebar. Someday, he hoped whatever animated the Thing would heal its wounds; the dark-and-light layers he had chiseled through implied a growth cycle.
And now came the question of what to do with the Thing.
A curious man would study it, hand it over to some great biology lab, and unlock great secrets of the universe.
A fearful man would lock it up in its box for the rest of time, afraid that what it did to his Council, it would do again.
A compassionate man would take it in as a pet, treating it with love, care, and respect, and retrain it from its murderous ways.
As Fritz trundled it tied-up on a dolly-cart through the building, he told it of his plan to make lots of money for the Safe Cleanup Professionals by hiring it out as a field-fertilizing, scarily effective scarecrow. Until then, he said, it would stay in its box.
Of course, it wouldn't do to have a soiled habitat for their moneymaker, would it? They'd have to schedule a cleaning once every... how often? He'd use [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/biweekly | precise-sounding yet ambiguous syntax]]] until they could figure out the right cleaning schedule.
And as he turned the corner, he saw his Council of '05 and remembered the massacre. He checked their pulses. Marion was still alive, as was Damian, Hiram, Reynold... it finally occurred to him to call an ambulance. The pain and overgrowth had inhibited the Thing's ability to kill, but the injuries were still severe.
The next day, there would be recriminations about how long it took him to care about his coworkers. The next day, someone would point out the flaws in how he had misinterpreted Schrödinger's Cat. Someone would speculate that the Thing's desire for a jump-scare would eventually overcome its preference for that jump scare to be visual, and so closing your eyes to deny it that was only a temporary measure. Someone would want to start a filing system on the dangerous or unusual cleanup jobs.
But now, he was flashing back to that day when he hugged his father as they watched the bull test out the leg as it walked away, growing more confident with the block, and galloping around the pen in excitement, and he took a sip, then and now, from his father's water bottle.
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>
|author=Alzin Cdag]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-06T03:26:00 | [
"_licensebox",
"heartwarming",
"tale",
"the-administrator",
"the-sculpture"
] | The Pilot- The Original - SCP Foundation | 17 | [
"welcome-to-site-19",
"alzin-cdag",
"component:info-ayers",
"biweekly",
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed",
"shortest-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458187183 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-pilot |
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/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Print</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Friendly</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Formatting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Estrella</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">body.print-body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">sidebar-width-on-desktop:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
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</span><span class="hl-identifier">body.print-body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blockquote">
<div class="email">
<div class="tofrom">
<p><strong>To:</strong> Dr. William Wallace Wettle<br/>
<strong>From:</strong> Dr. Lillian Lillihammer<br/>
<strong>Subject:</strong> Willie, what is this shit?</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<p>Willie, I swear to god, if you don't get your spouse under control, I'm gonna lose it. They've uploaded a memetic contagion/cognitohazardous video to YouTube. I've cleaned up the images as best I can and got rid of the memetic contagion.</p>
<p>Can you tell me exactly what the fuck they mean by any of this?</p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
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<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/vktm-is-for-the-children">VKTM is for the Children</a>" by Grigori Karpin, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/vktm-is-for-the-children">https://scpwiki.com/vktm-is-for-the-children</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Title</strong>: Yemeni Girls<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Rod Waddington<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY-SA 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rod_waddington/31093688791/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/rod_waddington/31093688791/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: Bari, Street Sweeper<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Danumurthi Mahendra<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmahendra/3069109157/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmahendra/3069109157/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: Time Outs are Never any Fun<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Austin Kirk<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aukirk/14785848536/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/aukirk/14785848536/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: Feeding the Children<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Irlam, Cadishead, Rixton<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY-SA 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/77779370@N02/16042062655/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/77779370@N02/16042062655/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: Ray Lamphere, murder suspect 1908 – Belle Gunness<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Steve Shook<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shookphotos/4527625019/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/shookphotos/4527625019/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: img_6891<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Leonid Mamchenkov<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mamchenkov/304984856/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/mamchenkov/304984856/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: -25<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: JK Califf<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY-SA 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/emerycophoto/4727073133/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/emerycophoto/4727073133/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: Les Sources Occultes 008/999 - 01<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Thierry Ehrmann<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_chaos/4919126437/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_chaos/4919126437/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: Zombies 27<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Thierry Ehrmann<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: CC BY 2.0<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_chaos/4754601096/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_chaos/4754601096/</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Filename:</strong> Astaroth’s seal<br/>
<strong>Author:</strong> CabronDeOz<br/>
<strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/>
<strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astaroth#/media/File:Astaroth.svg">Link</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Title</strong>: Sigil<br/>
<strong>Author</strong>: Lula Zephyr<br/>
<strong>License</strong>: Public Domain<br/>
<strong>Link</strong>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/191042025@N04/50599626647/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/191042025@N04/50599626647/</a></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html> |
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:centered-header-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:centered-header-bhl</a>]]
[[module CSS]]
div#container-wrap {
background-image: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/backgroundVK-1);
}
:root {
--logo-image: url("https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKlogo-pride-Small");
--header-title: " Vikander-Kneed";
--header-subtitle: " Technical Media";
}
/* Adjust Mobile Image Size */
@media (max-width: 479px) {
#header {
background-size: 100px 100px;
background-position: 1em;
}
}
[[/module]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]]
[[=]]
**__[[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/vikander-kneed-technical-media-hub | Vikander-Kneed Technical Media Hub]]]__**
@@ @@
**[[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/grigori-karpin-s-author-page | More by Grigori Karpin]]]**
[[/=]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]]
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:collapsible-sidebar">:scp-wiki:component:collapsible-sidebar</a>]]
[[module css]]
:root {
--fade-in-delay: 0.05s;
}
/* SLIDE SHOW - BASIC FORMAT FOR VIEWPORT */
.yui-navset .yui-nav li, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav li {
flex-grow: 0 !important;
}
.yui-navset-top {
container-type: inline-size;
}
.yui-nav {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: baseline;
bottom-border-width: 0px;
}
.yui-nav li {
display: none !important;
margin: 0 !important;
}
.yui-nav li.selected {
display: inline-block !important;
}
.yui-content {
display: grid;
padding: 0em !important;
min-width: 110%;
margin-left: -5%;
max-width: 120%;
border: 2px solid #333 !important;
}
@container (width >= 1em) {
.yui-content {
min-height: calc(60cqw * 1.1);
max-height: calc(60cqw * 1.1);
margin-top: -73cqw;
}
.yui-nav {
margin-top: 69cqw !important;
}
}
.debugNote {
margin: auto;
display: none;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.debugNote {
display: block;
}
}
/* Slide Visuals CSS */
.slideContainer {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
grid-template-rows: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
height: 100%;
width: 100%;
background-size: cover;
background-position: center;
background-image: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/kill-agents-and-you/2560px-Pseudo_Kleinian_OpenCL_214854124_25K.jpg);
background-blend-mode: saturation;
background-color: #00000040;
color:white;
}
.slideContainer p, .slideContainer li {
font-size: 1.3em;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.slideAInner {
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 5 / 5;
margin: auto 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideBInnerLeft {
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 5 / 3;
margin: 1.5em 0.5em 1.5em 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideBInnerRight {
grid-area: 1 / 3 / 5 / 5;
margin: 1.5em 1.5em 1.5em 0.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideCInner {
grid-area: 2 / 1 / 4 / 5;
margin: auto 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
align-content: center;
text-align: center;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideDInner {
grid-area: 5 / 1 / 5 / 5;
margin: auto 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideEInnerLeft {
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 5 / 1;
margin: 1.5em -1.5em 1.5em 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
border-right-width: 0px;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideEInnerRight {
grid-area: 1 / 2 / 5 / 5;
margin: 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideFInnerTitle {
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 2 / 5;
margin: 1.5em 1.5em 0em 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
text-align:center;
}
.slideFInnerBody {
grid-area: 2 / 1 / 5 / 5;
margin: 1em 1.5em 1.5em 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideGInnerTitle {
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 2 / 5;
margin: auto 1.5em 0em 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
text-align:center;
}
.slideGInnerLeft {
grid-area: 2 / 1 / 5 / 3;
margin: 1em 0.5em auto 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.slideGInnerRight {
grid-area: 2 / 3 / 5 / 5;
margin: 1em 1.5em auto 0.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
border: solid 1px black;
background: rgb(210 210 210 / 30%);
}
.titleSlide {
grid-area: 2 / 1 / 4 / 5;
margin: auto 1.5em;
padding: 0.5em 1em;
align-content: center;
text-align: center;
background: rgb(0 0 0 / 30%);
}
/* Individual Slide Logic */
.yui-nav:nth-child(1) {
/*Slide 1*/
li.selected:nth-of-type(1) + li:nth-of-type(2) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 2*/
li:nth-of-type(1):has(+ li.selected:nth-of-type(2)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(2) + li:nth-of-type(3) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 3*/
li:nth-of-type(2):has(+ li.selected:nth-of-type(3)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(3) + li:nth-of-type(4) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 4*/
li:nth-of-type(3):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(4)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(4) + li:nth-of-type(5) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 5*/
li:nth-of-type(4):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(5)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(5) + li:nth-of-type(6) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 6*/
li:nth-of-type(5):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(6)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(6) + li:nth-of-type(7) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 7*/
li:nth-of-type(6):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(7)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(7) + li:nth-of-type(8) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 8*/
li:nth-of-type(7):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(8)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(8) + li:nth-of-type(9) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 9*/
li:nth-of-type(8):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(9)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(9) + li:nth-of-type(10) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 10*/
li:nth-of-type(9):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(10)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(10) + li:nth-of-type(11) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 11*/
li:nth-of-type(10):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(11)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(11) + li:nth-of-type(12) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 12*/
li:nth-of-type(11):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(12)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(12) + li:nth-of-type(13) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 13*/
li:nth-of-type(12):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(13)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(13) + li:nth-of-type(14) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 14*/
li:nth-of-type(13):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(14)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(14) + li:nth-of-type(15) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 15*/
li:nth-of-type(14):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(15)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(15) + li:nth-of-type(16) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 16*/
li:nth-of-type(15):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(16)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(16) + li:nth-of-type(17) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 17*/
li:nth-of-type(16):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(17)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(17) + li:nth-of-type(18) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 18*/
li:nth-of-type(17):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(18)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(18) + li:nth-of-type(19) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 19*/
li:nth-of-type(18):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(19)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(19) + li:nth-of-type(20) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Slide 20*/
li:nth-of-type(19):has( + li.selected:nth-of-type(20)){
display: inline-block !important;
}
li.selected:nth-of-type(20) + li:nth-of-type(21) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
/*Last Slide*/
li:nth-last-of-type(2):has( + li.selected:nth-last-of-type(1)) {
display: inline-block !important;
}
}
/* Radian Conditional Collapsibles Code */
body:has(.lightSwitch .collapsible-block-unfolded[style="display: block;"]),
body:has(.lightSwitch .collapsible-block-unfolded[style=""]) {
background-color: rgb(196 202 195);
background-blend-mode: difference;
}
[[/module]]
[[div class="blockquote"]]
[[div class="email"]]
[[div class="tofrom"]]
**To:** Dr. William Wallace Wettle
**From:** Dr. Lillian Lillihammer
**Subject:** Willie, what is this shit?
[[/div]]
------
Willie, I swear to god, if you don't get your spouse under control, I'm gonna lose it. They've uploaded a memetic contagion/cognitohazardous video to YouTube. I've cleaned up the images as best I can and got rid of the memetic contagion.
Can you tell me exactly what the fuck they mean by any of this?
@@ @@
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
[[tabview]]
[[tab Opening Image]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide1]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #2]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide2]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #3]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide3]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #4]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide4]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #5]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide5]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #6]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide6]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #7]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide7]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #8]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide8]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #9]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide9]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Image #10]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide10]]
[[/tab]]
[[tab Closing Image]]
[[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/grigori-karpin-s-author-page/VKTM%20Kids%20Slide11]]
[[/tab]]
[[/tabview]]
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
[[=]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/=]]
@@ @@
@@ @@
@@ @@
-----
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>
|author=Grigori Karpin]]
=====
> **Title**: Yemeni Girls
> **Author**: Rod Waddington
> **License**: CC BY-SA 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rod_waddington/31093688791/
> **Title**: Bari, Street Sweeper
> **Author**: Danumurthi Mahendra
> **License**: CC BY 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmahendra/3069109157/
> **Title**: Time Outs are Never any Fun
> **Author**: Austin Kirk
> **License**: CC BY 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/aukirk/14785848536/
> **Title**: Feeding the Children
> **Author**: Irlam, Cadishead, Rixton
> **License**: CC BY-SA 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/77779370@N02/16042062655/
> **Title**: Ray Lamphere, murder suspect 1908 – Belle Gunness
> **Author**: Steve Shook
> **License**: CC BY 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shookphotos/4527625019/
> **Title**: img_6891
> **Author**: Leonid Mamchenkov
> **License**: CC BY 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mamchenkov/304984856/
> **Title**: -25
> **Author**: JK Califf
> **License**: CC BY-SA 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/emerycophoto/4727073133/
> **Title**: Les Sources Occultes 008/999 - 01
> **Author**: Thierry Ehrmann
> **License**: CC BY 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_chaos/4919126437/
> **Title**: Zombies 27
> **Author**: Thierry Ehrmann
> **License**: CC BY 2.0
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_chaos/4754601096/
> **Filename:** Astaroth’s seal
> **Author:** CabronDeOz
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astaroth#/media/File:Astaroth.svg | Link]]]
> **Title**: Sigil
> **Author**: Lula Zephyr
> **License**: Public Domain
> **Link**: https://www.flickr.com/photos/191042025@N04/50599626647/
=====
[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]
| 2025-01-10T20:58:00 | [
"_image",
"doctor-lillihammer",
"doctor-wettle",
"on-guard-43",
"tale",
"vikander-kneed"
] | VKTM is for the Children - SCP Foundation | 28 | [
"vikander-kneed-technical-media-hub",
"grigori-karpin-s-author-page",
"component:license-box",
"licensing-guide"
] | [
"vikander-kneed-technical-media-hub",
"top-rated-pages-by-month",
"tales-by-year",
"shortest-pages-by-month",
"most-recently-created",
"foundation-tales",
"new-pages-feed",
"top-rated-pages-this-month"
] | [] | 1458224239 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/vktm-is-for-the-children |
|
whatever-s-left-of-me-to-get | <html><body><div id="page-content">
<div class="preview">
<p>If Elstrom could tell herself that it simply never could've happened, then its absence doesn't have to hurt.</p>
</div>
<div style="display: none">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ CODE</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- CODE</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="code">
<div class="hl-main">
<pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">BLANKSTYLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2021</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Placeholder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">McD</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HarryBlank</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Based</span><span class="hl-code"> on:
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Paperstack</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">Penumbra</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">');
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(
to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
--</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before {
font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
}
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> | [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">,
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
/</span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">*</span><span class="hl-code">/
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code">
</span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">;
</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br/>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1 id="toc0"><span>You've Got Whatever's Left of Me to Get</span></h1>
</div>
<div class="info-container">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<div>
<p style="text-align: center;">…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ</p>
</div>
<hr/>
<div id="u-author_block">
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/kingofmice-author-page">▸ More by this Author ◂</a></p>
</div>
<hr/>
<div id="u-comments2" style="display: none;">
<p>{$comments2}</p>
</div>
<div class="u-faq">
<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">F.A.Q.</a></p>
</div>
<div style="display: none;">
<p>{$doesthisfixthebug}</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>This man is… tolerable.</p>
<p>Better than tolerable… he's nice. His hair is clean and styled, tastefully slicked back. He looks like a character in a movie, except he's real and he's sitting right across from her. It's well into the evening, the sky dark, they're sitting outside an Italian restaurant. Elstrom would have preferred to be <em>inside</em> somewhere a bit nicer, but she can stomach Italian just fine. The way the surrounding fairy lights reflect off his big brown eyes is cute.</p>
<p>"So, your profile was a bit vague on what you do for a living," he says. He's got an accent, French maybe? It's nice, just enough to sound attractive without being too thick or forced.</p>
<p>"I work as an administrator for a large, privately owned company." Close enough to the truth. "And you?"</p>
<p>"I work in sales for a tech manufacturing company." Sounds like there's money in that. Good money too by the looks of his freshly pressed suit. She's never been particularly hurting for cash, but financial stability is always a sexy trait. Rich, well dressed, an hour into the date without a single perverted comment…</p>
<p>This man might be perfect.</p>
<p>And then he laughs, throwing his head back, his mouth far too wide, too many teeth. Elstrom can barely remember what it is she said, too distracted staring up his nose. There's something deeply unpleasant about seeing him from the angle. What a grating sound to accompany it, and now that she thinks about it, his accent is annoying. And his teeth are far too white, the light is shining off of them.</p>
<p>As she thinks about it more… <em>sales for a tech manufacturing company?</em> He had to gall to call her vague? That suit could be rented, this whole air of competency an act. He'll pay for this first date, and then hold it over her head next time. That suit looks raggedy anyway, even if he's got good money he has poor taste. He could use a better barber too, and a different scent of cologne, and more interesting food preferences.</p>
<p>And his smile is weird. Shows off only his top row of teeth.</p>
<p>And his cheeks are too thin. Too much emphasis on his jawline.</p>
<p>And Elstrom can't picture herself waking up in the morning and sitting across from him and happily eating breakfast every morning.</p>
<p>"I had a lovely night," he says, taking her by the hand. Too firm, too warm. "I'd love to meet up again. Perhaps for coffee?"</p>
<p>She grimaces, teeth bared. "No thank you. I appreciate your time, but I don't think we'll be meeting again."</p>
<p>He frowns, shoulders slumping, but he plasters on a smile anyway. "I understand. I hope this was a good time for you nonetheless." He shakes her hand and with his head hung low, he politely leaves her be. She pictures him slumping away into a moldy apartment, dirty and unattractive, complaining to his similarly sloppy friends about some <em>bitch</em> he went on a date with the other night, and she feels no regret ending this night.</p>
<p>She walks home shrouded in darkness, feeling the same as she always does.</p>
<p>Heavy bags hang under her eyes. She's never quite been able to get rid of them, but a layer of concealer usually does the trick. While she's contemplating her most recent failed romance, McInnis passes by her desk and pauses, a sheet of paper in his hand.</p>
<p>"A health inspector will be at the site in twenty minutes. I hate to spring this on you, but would you greet them and show them around the site for the next few days? I may find myself busy." He places the paper on top of what Elstrom is already looking at.</p>
<p>There's nothing she would like to do <em>less</em> than greet someone new, however McInnis has always been too <em>kind</em> to just outright say no to on matters like this. Fuck him really for just being naturally nice and charismatic. "Alright."</p>
<p>"Try to make a good impression for us," he says with a friendly sort of smile and then leaves her be.</p>
<p>After fifteen minutes, she begins her trek towards the site entrance. According to the paper, the inspector's name is Aubrey Al-Khafaji. Elstrom can already picture the sort of man this <em>Al-Khafaji</em> will be. He'll show up well-dressed in a suit and clipboard, oozing with professionalism. He'll try to make nice small talk around the site. Then, when they're alone, he'll make his true intentions known like the real creep he is. <em>Like every single other person they send to this site.</em></p>
<p><em>She should've just passed this off to someone else… too late now.</em></p>
<p>Al-Khafaji is waiting for her, in a suit and holding a clipboard like Elstrom guessed, a tasteful leather satchel around his shoulders. He's a portly man, bit shorter than Elstrom, with black skin and a visor pinning an afro out of his face. He smiles as she approaches, the wrinkles around his lips and eyes indicating he's one to smile often. Hand outstretched to take hers, Al-Khafaji speaks and Elstrom realizes she made one snap judgement far too quickly.</p>
<p><em>This Al-Khafaji is a woman.</em></p>
<p>"Good to finally see someone! Though, I figure you're not Allen McInnis," she says like they're sharing some sort of joke. She has an accent, not one Elstrom immediately recognizes, but possibly Arabic? She takes her hand, her mind lagging as she decides her next move.</p>
<p>"I'm not, however I will be the one showing you around today. I'm Karen Elstrom, Karen is fine." Karen is fine? Since when is <em>Karen fine</em>? Why did she say that?</p>
<p>"Well then, Karen, Aubrey Al-Khafaji at your service!" She gives Elstrom's hand a hardy shake. "Feel free to lead the way! Lot of ground to cover."</p>
<p>Keeping her posture straight and her head forward, Elstrom marches down the halls. Now that this interaction has begun, it's her next goal to end it as quickly as possible. There's a comfortable well of solitude waiting for her at her desk.</p>
<p>They pass by each department, Al-Khafaji pausing their tour to chat with the department director and take notes on her clipboard. While she's taking notes on the state of Theology and Teleology, Elstrom clears her throat and asks, "Why does the Foundation need a health inspector?" It sounded a lot less rude in her head.</p>
<p>"Are you kidding? I would say the Foundation needs health inspectors more than anyone."</p>
<p>Elstrom stiffens, uncomfortable. "I meant, we have Janitorial and Maintenance. Doesn't that cover health and safety?"</p>
<p>"You would think! But someone-" she taps her chest with her pen, "-impartial has to make sure certain health standards are <em>actually</em> being met. There's a lot more dangers to working than whatever horrors you have locked up here."</p>
<p>Elstrom nods once. "Logical enough."</p>
<p>They continue on to Replication Studies. While they're idling by the break room, Dr. Wettle passes by holding a mug and strikes his head against an open cabinet door. Elstrom winces, sucking in a breath through her teeth. She never quite got the same <em>pleasure</em> out of seeing Wettle hurt himself as her peers, she found it more… <em>pitiful.</em> Al-Khafaji on the other hand stops what she's doing and rushes forward.</p>
<p>"Hey, are you alright?" she reaches up to put a hand on Wettle's shoulder.</p>
<p>"What?" he asks that it's the first time he's ever heard those words. "Yes I'm fine. I just-" he bumps his elbow against the counter and dumps his coffee onto her. Al-Khafaji gasps and backs up. "I'm so sorry about that!" He grabs a large handful of napkins and presses them into her chest. He then appears to think about where he's putting his hands, recoils, and dumps the rest of his coffee on himself. "Fuck!"</p>
<p>"Hey buddy, it's fine!" she says.</p>
<p>He groans. "Sorry." Deciding he's made enough of a fool of himself, he turns around and leaves, empty mug in hand.</p>
<p>"Bewildering…" Al-Khafaji gathers up the napkins and drops them in the trash.</p>
<p>"Your shirt," Elstrom says, for once at a total loss.</p>
<p>"Don't worry about it. Trust me, lukewarm coffee doesn't even make the list of the worst things people have spilled on me at work." She unbuttons her suit jacket and swings it over her shoulder.</p>
<p>"There's a bathroom over here." She gently takes her arm and leads her to said bathroom. Arms crossed behind her back, she waits by a stall for Al-Khafaji. The strangest feeling passes over her; the urge to fill the silence. "So, what's the worst mess you've ever been in while working?"</p>
<p>"Oh, now you're making me think." Al-Khafaji cocks her head to one side in thought. "Maybe not the worst mess, but I was watching these folks clean the kitchen at one of those big sites, the sort of sites where all of the staff live on site. They were moving this <em>huge</em> tub of grease somewhere to dispose of it, they were showing me where they put their waste you see, and apparently this tub-" she makes a series of hand motions, miming out the shape of this tub, "- wasn't secure and, Allahumma a'inni, they dumped the whole thing right on me and the folks carrying it around."</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji laughs and Elstrom clutches her stomach. She can barely stand the feeling of scraping the grease off her pans at home. The thought of gallons of it getting on her, all of it's sliminess on her skin, makes her want to vomit more than anything else.</p>
<p>"You alright over there?"</p>
<p>Elstrom notices her gaze and straightens up. "Yes, I'm fine." She waves her hand, dismissing Al-Khafaji's concern and clearing the air.</p>
<p>"Right." A pause. "Sooo, after I'm done with my report I was thinking of doing a bit of a bar crawl, checking out a few of the local places. Would you care to come with?"</p>
<p>Elstrom's throat closes up. She had expected this sort of advancement, but that was of course before she realized she'd be showing around another woman. "Don't you think… fraternizing after work would be a conflict of interest?"</p>
<p>"What? No, why would it be?"</p>
<p>Elstrom thinks for a moment, trying to find the perfect excuse for why she can't. It's been a well crafted skill; coming up with the perfect realistic sounding prior engagement to get out of any situation. But, as she mills over the options, she finds she doesn't actually want to deny this invitation. When does that ever get an opportunity like this? A social call with no expectations.</p>
<p>"I… suppose if I have nothing else going on tonight."</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji clasps her hands together. "Wonderful! Now then, I think I'd like you to show me where I'll be staying tonight."</p>
<p>Elstrom steps off the taxi, heels clicking against the asphalt. Al-Khafaji emailed her hours earlier with details and this looks like the right place, with its flashy sign and music she can feel through the ground. There's still time for her to turn around, get back in the taxi, send Al-Khafaji an apologetic message justifying her absence.</p>
<p>Just by coming here she's made up her mind.</p>
<p>Passing over the door frame is like stepping into a new world, and she's literally stepped into other worlds before. Everything is bathed in purple light, the air smells sweet like soda syrup, and there's not a single man in sight. Like a fish out of water, Elstrom makes her way forward, for once very aware of how she's being looked at.</p>
<p>Site-43 prided itself on it's inclusiveness. People forget that among all the unpopular budget cuts and policy changes, Elstrom also has a hand in every anti-discrimination rule that allowed everyone to have their <em>gay old time</em>. Elstrom is, of course, familiar with aspects of lesbian culture, such as being butch or other aspects of gender nonconformity as it pertained to her job. But knowing about it is far different from… being invited to participate.</p>
<p>There's a seat waiting for her across from Al-Khafaji, an icy purple drink placed in front of her. While Elstrom dressed up for this invitation, Al-Khafaji dressed down. She's in a t-shirt that reveals a pair of strong arms and a tattoo on her right forearm. It's hard to tell what it's depicting, but she is momentarily captured by how well the gold patterning shows up and reflects the lights.</p>
<p>"Like what you see?" she asks with that playful tone of hers. Elstrom is momentarily frozen. "Come, sit. Don't look so frightened."</p>
<p>"I am… comfortable admitting I'm rather out of my depth here." At the very least, being so far out of her depth means she's at no risk of running into one of her colleagues here. Hopefully.</p>
<p>"No one here will bite without consent, I promise you that." She nudges the untouched drink closer to her. "Take and enjoy yourself a little! Watch the dancers!"</p>
<p>Elstrom takes her drink and turns her head towards the dance floor. It's not a large space, but the few people there are certainly putting it to good use. None of them are <em>good</em> dancers, but they are earnest. Something about that <em>earnestness</em> both demands her attention and has her flushed and looking away. She focuses her attention on Al-Khafaji's tattoo, like staring at it will reveal a hidden image within it.</p>
<p>"Have something you'd like to say?" Al-Khafaji asks, staring at her as she takes a drink.</p>
<p>"I was curious about your tattoo, I couldn't tell what it was in this lighting."</p>
<p>She looks at her arm, then holds it out for Elstrom to observe. Elstrom gingerly takes her hand in hers. "Was something an old friend designed for me," she explains, "Based on the staff of Anubis, I'm sure you're familiar." She traces out the shape in the air. "The pattern work is all hers."</p>
<p>"I see," Elstrom nods, letting go. "Do the patterns have any particular meaning? They're not memetic, I hope?"</p>
<p>"You take me for one to tattoo a memetic hazard to my body." She shakes her head, still smiling. "That pattern has no meaning, not anymore. I have some other tattoos I wouldn't mind showing off, but we may need to go somewhere a bit more private." She winks, effortlessly sliding from gently somber to flirty.</p>
<p>"In my work it's hardly an unreasonable question," she says, pointedly ignoring the rest of that sentence.</p>
<p>"I see. I must ask, how did you end up working here? For your Site-43?"</p>
<p>Elstrom looks around, unsure of how much she should say in a veiled space such as this. "Director McInnis found me unwittingly <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/11-turnover">working for an anomalous bank</a>. Offered me a job soon after."</p>
<p>"Anomalous bank? Sounds interesting."</p>
<p>"It was not." After a beat, she catches the social cue to ask Al-Khafaji the same, "So how did you end up working for us?"</p>
<p>"I was born in Qena, Egypt. That is also where my home site is stationed, when I'm not traveling. When I was in college I needed a job, and so one day I appeared at Site-343 with my resume." She pauses to empty her glass. "They gave me a job as a filing clerk, with orders to never open a file! Then, when I graduated, they let me in on what they were really doing."</p>
<p>"Really? It was that simple for you?"</p>
<p>She shrugs. "It's a small site, they needed any extra hands they could get. Of course, these days I'm sure I spend more time traveling and looking at sites like yours than I do back home."</p>
<p>"Do you like that? Being so far from home?"</p>
<p>"Are you kidding? It's a dream! I don't think I could ever stay rooted to one spot again." She pauses. "At least, not unless I was <em>sure</em> I had something worth settling down for. I'm always willing to have my mind changed."</p>
<p>"If you don't mind me asking, do your parents know what you do?"</p>
<p>"I suppose I couldn't stop you from asking even if I did mind!" She laughs and Elstrom blanches. "They know I am a health inspector, they need not know much more than that. And yours? I'm sure whatever they know, they are impressed to have such a hard working daughter."</p>
<p>Elstrom scoffs. "They're both still veiled. Last I checked, my father was the sort of college professor other teachers fearmonger about, and my mother did interior design." She tugs at her shirt collar. "My mother gained a fascination in minimalism before that even became common, always obsessed with having as little stuff as possible to avoid clutter. I used to hide all of my toys in case they did not fit her <em>aesthetic</em>." She pauses, realizing that's not the <em>funny childhood anecdote</em> she thought it was. "I'm sure they think I'm dead."</p>
<p>"I see…" Al-Khafaji says, and Elstrom questions why she said so much. She realizes her drink is empty and Al-Khafaji motions for them to move closer to the bar for refills. Elstrom looks down as the bartender approaches and refills their drinks.</p>
<p>"I apologize if I have dominated the conversation."</p>
<p>She smiles, the skin around her nose scrunching up. "I like hearing you talk." She leans in an throws an arm around Elstrom's shoulders, a gesture she would never normally allow if she weren't feeling particularly charitable tonight. "My mother, in our small kitchen, would cook enough food daily to feed forty families. People would come to our home with dishware and money. My father, he wires houses. A <em>freelancer</em> you might call him." She cocks her head to the side. "Now we have both overshared!"</p>
<p>At the end of the night Elstrom finally sees a benefit for wearing multiple layers. A cold breeze passes by, making Al-Khafaji shiver. Elstrom considers stripping off her cardigan and handing it over in some mock imitation of a romantic gesture. She hesitates for too long to make a choice on the matter.</p>
<p>"You took a cab here?"</p>
<p>"I did."</p>
<p>"Then we can share a ride back home, and I can continue to be in your presence a little longer." She rubs her hands together and waves down a taxi. "If only we were back in Qena, I could take you home on my motorbike."</p>
<p>Elstrom has a vision of herself on the back of a bike, speeding down an open road. Her head on Al-Khafaji's shoulder, her hair swept up in the wind, her hands around Al-Khafaji's soft middle. She steps into the back of the taxi in a haze.</p>
<p>In the site, they part ways to their respective dorms, but Al-Khafaji takes her by the hand to say her peace.</p>
<p>"I'm glad you came out with me! It would have been no fun drinking with strangers." She leans in, propped up on her tip toes, and pecks Elstrom on the cheek. Momentarily stunned, Elstrom says nothing as she leaves.</p>
<p>In Elstrom's dorm she drags herself past piles of papers and objects to the bathroom. Every time she walks past the mess she's made of her home, she pictures Dr. Ngo's voice in her head, making some statement on how she's subconsciously attempting to rebel against her mother's tendencies via developing a hoarding habit. But she by no means needs a therapist to tell her about her problems, and she's not hurting anyone but herself living like this.</p>
<p>The bathroom mirror reveals the imprint of Al-Khafaji's lips on her cheek. She hadn't even realized she was wearing lipstick up until this moment. She presses her fingers against the marking, mind lingering in the hallway outside.</p>
<p>Early in the morning, Elstrom and McInnis pass by each other on their way to their respective offices. McInnis pauses in his steps and turns to watch her pass him by. She looks odd this morning, not that McInnis would ever judge on appearance alone, but it surprises him to see her unkempt. There's a blotchy marking on her cheek, almost like a bruise.</p>
<p>"Karen?"</p>
<p>"Hm?" She turns to face him, revealing the lipstick mark on her cheek.</p>
<p>"You've… got something on your cheek." He points to his cheek.</p>
<p>Elstrom tenderly touches the marking, mumbling out a soft, "Oh." She turns her back to him and shuffles off to the bathroom and McInnis continues on to his office.</p>
<p>The dried splotch comes off with a wet wipe, it would've cleaned off easier if she hadn't slept in it. Now that she thinks about it, she hasn't touched up her make-up, or really done anything to her appearance besides a change of clothes. She simply rolled out of bed. Her <em>just rolled out of bed</em> may be the average person's <em>several hour make-up routine</em>, but can she really let herself be seen this way?</p>
<p>Can she really let Al-Khafaji see her this way?</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji's grinning face appears in her vision, and a hot pain creeps up in her stomach. It's different than the usual nausea she gets. It's less like she's going to throw up and more like she's collapsing in on herself. Not willing to take the risk either way, she runs into the nearest stall.</p>
<p>Her breathing is heavy and labored. That's the thing in these types of situations right, she needs to get her breathing under control. She would take slow, deep breaths, but she's in a public bathroom. She doesn't even like breathing too much in her own bathroom.</p>
<p><em>What the hell is her problem anyway?</em> Is she so insecure that even the <em>thought</em> of showing her natural face brings her to her knees? Or is it simply Al-Khafaji's approval of her that has her sickened? And which is more or less mortifying?</p>
<p>"Dr. Elstrom, are you alright in there?" McInnis calls. Elstrom says nothing, stunned to silence. "I ask because it's been quite a while, and I can hear you hyperventilating. If you are sick, it would be no trouble to send you home."</p>
<p>"I'm fine, sir." She swallows and tells herself she means it.</p>
<p>After a moment of silence, McInnis says, "If you say so. How is your progress on the inspection?"</p>
<p>She gets out of the stall and splashes a bit of water onto her face. "There have been no notable incidents, though I couldn't tell you for certain what Dr. Al-Khafaji has been writing."</p>
<p>"I see. I hope the rest goes just as well." She hears him start walking away.</p>
<p>"Sir! Before you go… could I ask some advice of you?"</p>
<p>He stops. "Of course you may."</p>
<p>"There's something that I… want. And even though I have pursued similar things, I… find myself hesitating and I'm not sure why."</p>
<p>"Sounds like you're nervous about potential consequences. But I believe if you think this <em>thing</em>, whatever it is you desire, will make you happy, then you should continue to pursue it. Even if it might not be simple, or entirely painless."</p>
<p>Elstrom looks at her hands, pointedly not observing her reflection. "I see, thank you, sir. That's all." After a silence, she hears McInnis's footsteps. When they're no long audible, she runs a hand through her hair to smooth it out, and turns to leave.</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji is waiting for her outside of Identity and Technocryptography. She waves as Elstrom approaches. Elstrom steels herself, the words she wants to say hanging at the end of her tongue. <em>Dinner at my place tonight.</em></p>
<p>"Looking bright and eager this morning!" She says with a tip of her visor. "On with the tour?"</p>
<p>"Right." <em>Say it. Say it now.</em></p>
<p>Al-Khafaji walks a few paces in front of her, leaving Elstrom to wonder why she even needs a guide when she's clearly capable of navigating herself. Back against the wall, she watches her pull out her phone and start taking pictures. Did she find some sort of issue in the walls and ceiling? She's still now, perfect opportunity to strike up conversation.</p>
<p>"Dr. Al-"</p>
<p><em>THUNK!</em> "Oh, goddamn it!"</p>
<p>The exclamation startles both of them, and they both swivel to see Phillip Deering struggling with a janitorial cart. One of the front wheels is twisted at an angle and Deering gives it a few kicks back into place. Prepared to ignore him, Elstrom turns to continue her conversation, but Al-Khafaji walks past her.</p>
<p>"Do you need a hand?"</p>
<p>Deering looks taken aback. "Oh, well you don't have to. I've…" Before he can stutter out a few more dismissals she's already dropped down and twisted the wheel back into place. Deering's mirror monster says something that makes his head jerk in frustration.</p>
<p>"Can I ask you a few questions about your experiences working in Janitorial and Maintenance here?" She leans in, notepad and pen in hand.</p>
<p>He looks around and shrugs. "I guess so. Are we in trouble or something?"</p>
<p>"No, <em>no</em>, of course not. It's just my job to assure your health and safety." She gives a disarming smile, eyes not even flickering toward the mirrors. "How often are there injuries on site unrelated to anomalous happenings?"</p>
<p>"Not very often. I mean there's Dr. Wettle, he's in replications, he gets hurt sometimes. Though that might be a sort of… anomalous happening." He takes a deep breath. "Other than that, no I don't think so. Though I'm sure the medical folks could answer that better than me."</p>
<p>"I see. And your boss." She pulls a paper out of her satchel to double check her notes. "Ms. Amelia Torosyan-Deering. How lenient would you say she is with with the Foundation health and safety guidelines?"</p>
<p>"It's uh- Mrs. actually. And she's not lenient at all, she makes sure everything is right up to code! Maybe even above code!" Now he has some energy to him; he quickly tacks on, "But y'know she doesn't overwork us, treats us all fairly. <em>Shut up, Doug.</em>" He whispers that last part.</p>
<p>If Elstrom had any desire to join this conversation, she'd point out that Deering is incredibly biased. But she doesn't and it goes unspoken. Her foot <em>tap tap taps</em> against the ground as this impromptu interview continues. She checks her watch, the wall clock, her watch again. It's not as though they're particularly low on time, it's still early and there's still tomorrow to finish this, but there's something hot burning in her veins.</p>
<p>"… and would you say-" Deering gestures for Al-Khafaji to stop, perhaps sensing Elstrom's impatience.</p>
<p>"Sorry I uh, I don't mind talking but I should get moving. I hope your inspection goes well." He pushes the cart forward without much struggle.</p>
<p>"Alright! Have a good day!" She waves him off. "And you too!" She says to the mirror before the mirror monster promptly disappears.</p>
<p>"Usually people are a little more… off put by him," Elstrom says, watching Deering go.</p>
<p>"Him? He seemed rather normal."</p>
<p>"Not him per se, the thing following him."</p>
<p>From her satchel Al-Khafaji pulls out a pamphlet. "I was given this before arriving. Nice little explanation of your containment habits. Though, it's not too different from how things are done back home."</p>
<p>"Is that so? What sort of anomalies are contained in Qena?"</p>
<p>"We hardly contain at all! A lot of the things your people call <em>anomalous</em> are what my home would call <em>superstitions</em>. Rarely is anything so harmful it must be hidden." She says as though it's completely obvious, which it very well might be.</p>
<p>"Hm, it never occurred to me that there would be… different types of normalcy." They're talking now, Elstrom realizes, her heart jumping into her throat. They're talking and she should say it, <em>say it now</em>! "Are in interested in dinner tonight?"</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji gives her a funny look. "I'm interested in dinner every night."</p>
<p>Elstrom swallows. "My home. Tonight."</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji smiles, her cheeks pushing up her eyes. "Now that just sounds wonderful!"</p>
<p>Elstrom crosses her dorm again. She's counted: it takes twenty long strides to go from her bedroom door, to the kitchen fridge, to her bedroom door again. This she time makes the trek in nineteen steps, which is strange because she would expect it to take an even amount of steps no matter what. Which corner did she cut the first time that she didn't the second time?</p>
<p>Something much more important comes knocking on her door. One of the chefs from the cafeteria pushes in a cart with four dishes, still steaming hot. "Put everything on the dining table except the dessert. You can put that in the kitchen," Elstrom says as she pulls out her wallet.</p>
<p>"Got it," says the chef. They place three dishes on the table: a plate of six hawawshi sandwiches, a dish of Koshari, and a dish of Egyptian Moussaka. The two glasses, Elstrom had made a specific request for the nicest dishware they had, of Roz Bel Laban go the the kitchen. "You've got a nice place here."</p>
<p>"Thanks," she replies politely. Most of the clutter that's usually spread across her dorm has been moved to her bedroom and living room where it will hopefully go unnoticed.</p>
<p>Contacting the cafeteria staff for personal calls like this was hardly out of the ordinary, but Elstrom had called in about and hour and a half earlier with a very strict time frame and a rather unorthodox order. This would cost her, but between having her date crashed by a sentient boat or finding herself in her twenties again, a simple dinner in the comfort of her own home is priceless.</p>
<p>She places two thousand dollars in the chef's hands to be divided amongst the staff. The chef lets out a low whistle, counting and recounting just to make sure they had that number correct.</p>
<p>"Pleasure doing business with you, ma'am!" they tip their hat on their way out.</p>
<p>Now the real waiting begins and Elstrom returns to her pacing with fervor. If she keeps moving she doesn't have to ask herself <em>why</em> the idea of meeting with Al-Khafaji brings her such anxiety. It's only the first time she's let someone into her private space in… And it's not like it's any scarier than the dates she usually goes on. Not that this is a date! Very much <em>not a date</em>! Just a… dinner between acquaintances.</p>
<p>That she just been two grand on… Which! Might be cheaper than the money she usually spends on dates, often on new clothes before and after, which makes this all reasonable!</p>
<p>A knock on the door. Elstrom dabs the sweat from her forehead, double checks her makeup, and opens the door. Al-Khafaji is leaning up against the door frame, wearing a brown striped button down with a pressed violet pinned over her heart. The sleeves are rolled up, showing off those strong forearms of hers and that intricate tattoo on her forearm. It's almost <em>infuriating</em> how well she makes such a simple outfit look.</p>
<p>It's most certainly <em>fury</em> that's making Elstrom's entire body so warm…</p>
<p>"I knew I smelled something <em>real</em> good on my way here. You didn't go all out for little ole me, did you?" she asks with a flutter of her eyelashes.</p>
<p>"No, of course not," she says perhaps a little too quickly and far too defensively. Al-Khafaji's demeanor wavers. "Come in."</p>
<p>"Oh wow, you really did go all out!" she exclaims as she observes the table spread. "Do we say grace and just dig in?"</p>
<p>"I'm… not Christian."</p>
<p>"I would hope not." She sits and breathes in the air. "Alhamdulillah, it's like I'm on the streets back home. Is this homemade?"</p>
<p>Elstrom pauses. "Yes." Not a lie, it was made here, in her home at Site-43.</p>
<p>"You are wonderful!" she says, clasping her hands together. "Forgive me, but I've always had preference for women who can cook."</p>
<p>Elstrom lifts her glass of sparkling water to her lips, coolly deflecting this discussion.</p>
<p>"May I?" she asks, hand hovering over the hawawshi.</p>
<p>"Do help yourself."</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji loads her plate and Elstrom does the same. This is the part of the not-date where she's supposed to make small talk, but she's never spoken small in her life. And she's far too preoccupied with watching Al-Khafaji's hands move and her lips part to figure out how to do it now.</p>
<p>"What do you do for fun?" she asks between bites, catching Elstrom off guard. She has no pre-scripted line for this question; in fact, she has no answer at all.</p>
<p>"You first."</p>
<p>"Oh, making <em>me</em> carry the conversation, huh? I see how it is." She tilts her head slightly upward when she's thinking. "I've gained a fascination for styles of architecture."</p>
<p>"Is that so?"</p>
<p>"I suppose when you spend your job in so many different buildings, picking all the little flaws out, you start to notice what the buildings themselves look like." She punctuates her sentences by taking a drink. "You may have seen me taking photos of your site, soon I'll have the exact words to describe it."</p>
<p>"I had assumed those were for your work. I'd never considered that there's anything special to how a building appears." She tabs her nails rhythmically against the table. "What's your favorite style?"</p>
<p>"Hmm… googie."</p>
<p>Elstrom chokes on a surprised chuckle. "What?"</p>
<p>"It was a style I encountered while inspecting America's <em>Las Vegas</em>. It's what you may call a type of futurist architecture, it's all about angles but also curves and arches." She shakes her head. "Perhaps not the most interesting choice, but that name certainly got a laugh out of you!"</p>
<p>"Without context it sounds quite strange."</p>
<p>"I'm sure. But that's enough out of me." The table creeks as Al-Khafaji leans forward and puts her weight on it. "You can not keep up this air of mysticism you're so found of forever. Tell me, what do you do for fun."</p>
<p>She opens her mouth and keeps it open for several seconds. "I… don't."</p>
<p>"Hm?"</p>
<p>"I go on dates occasionally, and I buy new clothes. But… that's not really fun, is it?" she asks herself out loud, as though this is the first time she's come to this conclusion.</p>
<p>The chair legs scrape against the floor as Al-Khafaji shifts uncomfortably. "Clothes? I've noticed the fancy fabrics on you. Why don't you tell me about that?"</p>
<p>"Well, I don't know all the fashion terms like you might with architecture. However, I often buy anything new and high end I can get my hands on. So, I have quite the wardrobe, so to speak."</p>
<p>"Is that so? Well I certainly wouldn't mind a fashion show, if you'd ever like to show off." Al-Khafaji raises her glass to her lips and wiggles her eyebrows. Elstrom thinks about it, and then she thinks about the mess she spent today shoving into her bedroom, and shame boils up inside of her.</p>
<p>"Perhaps another time."</p>
<p>"I see, you're not the type to just let anyone into your bedroom."</p>
<p>By this point they've cleared their plates, or at least Al-Khafaji has and Elstrom has had her fill. She stands and steps into the kitchen, returning with the Roz Bal Laban. Al-Khafaji throws her head back with a laugh.</p>
<p>"When I think I can't be spoiled enough! You'll make me rotten at this rate!" She takes the glass graciously.</p>
<p>"Believe me, you could be far more spoiled." Elstrom nudges her pudding with a spoon, more interested in watching Al-Khafaji for longer. She could not stomach another bite, but there's joy to be had in watching someone else enjoy themselves.</p>
<p>As their dinner comes to a close, they both raise to their feet. Elstrom is about to speak, but Al-Khafaji beats her to the punch. She puts her hand on Elstrom's hip and Elstrom is helpless.</p>
<p>"Karen," her heart skips a beat hearing her name on the other woman's lips, "You have given me a wonderful night, and you are undeniably beautiful. I must show you my affection." She leans in, pressing their chests together, and sealing them in a kiss.</p>
<p>In half a second Elstrom realizes three very important things. One, Al-Khafaji is very warm. Burning even with how much she radiates and fills the space around her. Two, this is the first time a date non-date has ever made it to a kiss. The kiss is nice too, like they were made to be slotted together. Three, this is the most terrified Elstrom has ever been in her life.</p>
<p>The moment that half a second ends, she puts her entire strength into shoving Al-Khafaji off. She stumbles back, catching herself on the table, and looks back with the expression of a kicked puppy. Elstrom pants and trembles and stares back with wide eyes. Slowly, Al-Khafaji straightens herself out.</p>
<p>"I see I've misunderstood the situation."</p>
<p>Elstrom swallows thickly. "That's correct."</p>
<p>She gestures to the table. "Do you care to keep the leftovers?"</p>
<p>"… you may take them with you." She quietly steps into the kitchen, selecting three tupperware containers and handing them over. She turns her back to Al-Khafaji as she fills them up. Al-Khafaji hovers by the door once she's finished.</p>
<p>"I apologize for… making it awkward, so to speak."</p>
<p>This is where Elstrom is to dispense some form of admonishment or forgiveness, but she finds she has neither to give. With a sigh, Al-Khafaji leaves.</p>
<p>At eight fourteen in the morning Elstrom rolls over in bed and picks her phone off of the nightstand. "Hello, I've come down with a stomach bug this morning and I won't be coming to work today. Anything important can be left on my desk until tomorrow." She doesn't need to act to make herself sound sick, and it's a common enough occurrence that McInnis won't ask for proof.</p>
<p>In ten hours Al-Khafaji will be done with her report and she'll be gone from this site for good. Those ten hours can't move fast enough in her opinion. If she were to be smart about this, she'd use this free time she's given herself to make something presentable of her home. And yet all she can get herself to do is wrap herself even tighter in her blanket.</p>
<p>Logically, this shouldn't bother her. It's hardly the first time a fellow coworker hit on her, hell it's not even the first time a fellow woman has hit on her. Yet something in her stomach aches, not the usual sick she feels, but like something is eating her. Like something has been eating her for years.</p>
<p>Images of that bar bathed in purple lights keep flashing in her mind. She just can't stop thinking about the music, about Aubrey's hand in hers, about the lipstick mark on her cheek, about how causally she went in for the kiss, like she knew exactly what she wanted.</p>
<p>She can't stop thinking about <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/transposthumousism">Quinn Law</a>.</p>
<p>Quinn Law appeared in front of Elstrom when she was still reeling in the death of her most recent horrible date. <em>There's a woman who knows exactly where she is in the world,</em> Elstrom thought as Law took her my the arm and dragged her across Three Portlands.</p>
<p>Law was beautiful, <em>is</em> beautiful. And confident in a way Elstrom could never be. Whether fueled by bravery or ignorance, Law went through every area like she knew she belonged there. And she looked at Elstrom, the woman she thought Elstrom was, with such affection. Like there was something in her, something real, that could be desired.</p>
<p>And it never could've worked out.</p>
<p>Law was taken for one, which isn't necessarily an obstacle. Monogamy is an outdated practice and Elstrom has seen firsthand how open and non-conventional relationships can work. But it's simply not what appeals to her.</p>
<p>Law was also UIU. Even if Elstrom could handle the distance between 3ports and Canada, a relationship between a UIU agent and a Foundation bureaucrat just wouldn't work out. The hostilities between their two groups, on top of the responsibilities placed on both, it would just be too much.</p>
<p>And most of all… Elstrom was afraid. Afraid of what Law saw when she looked at her with affection. And afraid even more so that what Law was seeing was a total fabrication, a projection of what <em>could</em> be there. Afraid of what Law would do when she found that there was simply nothing worth loving about Elstrom at all.</p>
<p>Instead of saying any of that, she looked Law in the eyes and said, "I prefer men." And Law looked away, already a million worlds away from her.</p>
<p>If Elstrom could tell herself that it simply never could've happened, then its absence doesn't have to hurt.</p>
<p>There's a knock at her dorm's door. The sound shocks her out of her thoughts. Surely no one would have a single good reason to bother her at this time, and yet they insist on knocking again. Like a ghost, Elstrom raises from her bed, dragging her tangled up blankets and sheets with her.</p>
<p>Something smells good. Spending the day rotting in bed has left her starving. Opening the door just a crack reveals McInnis, some sort of dish cradled in his arms.</p>
<p>"I hope I didn't wake you."</p>
<p>"You didn't," she says, hoarse.</p>
<p>"Good. I brought you something I hope will make you feel a little better today." He shoulders the door open and places the dish in her hands. It's a macaroni and cheese, the cheese is gooey and streaming, freshly home cooked.</p>
<p>It's thoughtful enough to bring a tear to her eye.</p>
<p>More than that even.</p>
<p>"Did I offend?" his hand hesitantly hovers over her shoulder, like if he touches her she'll shatter into dust. She backs up, tears streaming down her cheeks.</p>
<p>Aubrey's face appears in her vision. The dish is warm against Elstrom's chest and she's thinking about Aubrey embracing her, that moment where their bodies pressed together, right before Elstrom pulled away. How she wishes she had to foresight to wrap her arms around Aubrey's waist and pull her closer.</p>
<p>And Elstrom can picture herself waking up in the morning and sitting across from her and happily eating breakfast every morning.</p>
<p>"I just realized I have to do something!" She slams the door shut in his face and runs to set down the dish and put on shoes. Any shoes will do.</p>
<p>It's almost five pm, Al-Khafaji should still be on site, if only Elstrom could get there a little quicker…</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji sits on the edge of a parking lot, clicking her pen rhythmically. There's a warm space welcome to her back inside the site, but she would rather wait for the helicopter to come pick her up out here. She looks at her watch again and it tells her it's been a full minute since she looked at her watch last.</p>
<p>She takes in a deep breath of the cold evening air and lets it all out in a huff. In the distance she can hear the hum of a helicopter blade, and see the tiny black dot in the sky grow ever larger. Raising to her feet, she brushes the dust off her pants, ready to rid herself of this place.</p>
<p>"Aubrey!" Al-Khafaji stops in her tracks and reels her head around. Pulling down her visor to block out the sun, she spots another little dot approaching her. Elstrom comes to a stop before her, breathing loudly, hunched over with her hands on her knees.</p>
<p>"Dr. Elstrom, I thought you were sick," she says with a playful, yet professional tone, the way one might joke with a total stranger. She turns just slightly to avoid looking Elstrom in the eyes.</p>
<p>"I need to say something to you."</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji looks over her shoulder with a weary frown. "Well don't feel the need to hurry."</p>
<p>Elstrom freezes, standing up straight like a deer in the headlights. She looks a bit like a deer that wasn't quick enough getting out of the road. Her hair is unkempt, she's still in her uniform from yesterday with is now soaked in sweat and sticking to her skin, and she hasn't done her make-up, showing up every wrinkle to the world. And she needs to say <em>something</em>.</p>
<p>After a minute of silence, Al-Khafaji sighs and turns her back to Elstrom. "Look, Karen, you're a beautiful woman. But I know the sort of person you are, and I'm just not interested in getting caught up in whatever argument you're having with yourself. Either you <em>know</em> what you want, or you don't."</p>
<p>"I know what I want." Before she can stop herself, she goes in for a hug. Al-Khafaji tenses, more out of shock than discomfort. "I've known what I've wanted for a long time now, and I was unfair to you. I'm so sorry for that."</p>
<p>She shoulders Elstrom off so she can turn to face her. She looks her up and down, taking in every flaw in Elstrom's appearance. "Wow, you really mean that, huh?" Behind her the helicopter touches the ground and she glances nervously at it.</p>
<p>Elstrom nods. "I think you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen. I should've told you that. And I don't want you to leave." <em>Not now, not when she's finally let herself have this.</em></p>
<p>"Look, you know I can't stay. We've both got jobs to do, places to be."</p>
<p><em>"Dr. Al-Khafaji, what's the hold up!"</em> calls the pilot over the whirl of the helicopter.</p>
<p>She swallows, a single tear running down her cheek. "Is that it then?"</p>
<p>Al-Khafaji looks at the helicopter, and then back at Elstrom, and then at the pen in her hand. "It doesn't have to be." She takes Elstrom's wrist, pulls her arm and start, and scrawls her number across her forearm. Elstrom gasps and tenses at the pen's point digs into her skin.</p>
<p>"Aubrey…" she mumbles.</p>
<p>"Send me a message when I touch down in two hours, okay? Don't be shy!" She smiles and waves her off as she makes a run to get on the helicopter. Elstrom stands there, letting the winds blow all around her, as Al-Khafaji lifts off into the air.</p>
<p>She wishes she had kissed her.</p>
<p><em>Breathe Elstrom, keep it together.</em></p>
<div class="text-container-wrap">
<div class="text-container">
<div class="sent">
<p><span class="text"><strong>K_Elstrom</strong><br/>
Hello, this is Dr. Elstrom. I am messaging you to confirm you've reached your location safely. I hope your ride was comfortable. Feel free to message me back whenver you have a spare moment.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Three little dots appear. Elstrom puts her hand over her heart to keep it in her rib cage.</p>
<div class="text-container-wrap">
<div class="text-container">
<div class="recv">
<p><span class="text"><strong>A_Al-Khafaji</strong><br/>
Do you always text like this?</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Her cheeks grow flushed with embarrassment, before it occurs to her that Aubrey is simply being playful.</p>
<div class="text-container-wrap">
<div class="text-container">
<div class="sent">
<p><span class="text"><strong>K_Elstrom</strong><br/>
Yes.</span></p>
</div>
<div class="recv">
<p><span class="text"><strong>A_Al-Khafaji</strong><br/>
Cute <3</span></p>
</div>
<div class="recv">
<p><span class="text"><strong>A_Al-Khafaji</strong><br/>
I'm glad you messaged me. I was a bit worried you weren't going to and I did that whole dramatic exit for nothing lol</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>She lefts out a sigh of relief. This is good, normal even, she's doing fine.</p>
<div class="text-container-wrap">
<div class="text-container">
<div class="sent">
<p><span class="text"><strong>K_Elstrom</strong><br/>
I'm glad that I did.</span></p>
</div>
<div class="sent">
<p><span class="text"><strong>K_Elstrom</strong><br/>
Are you doing well?</span></p>
</div>
<div class="recv">
<p><span class="text"><strong>A_Al-Khafaji</strong><br/>
I'm real tired from y'know being on a helicopter for a while</span></p>
</div>
<div class="recv">
<p><span class="text"><strong>A_Al-Khafaji</strong><br/>
About to take a shower. Maybe we can chat some more after ;)</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>She hugs her phone to the chest, needing a second to remind herself how to breathe again.</p>
<div class="text-container-wrap">
<div class="text-container">
<div class="sent">
<p><span class="text"><strong>K_Elstrom</strong><br/>
See you after you shower then. And thank you.</span></p>
</div>
<div class="recv">
<p><span class="text"><strong>A_Al-Khafaji</strong><br/>
What're you thanking me for?</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>She pauses, picking her thoughts carefully. What <em>isn't</em> she thanking her for?</p>
<div class="text-container-wrap">
<div class="text-container">
<div class="sent">
<p><span class="text"><strong>K_Elstrom</strong><br/>
Just, thank you.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="licensebox">
<div class="collapsible-block">
<div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none">
<div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div>
<div class="collapsible-block-content">
<p>Cite this page as:</p>
<div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item">
<blockquote>
<p>"<a href="/whatever-s-left-of-me-to-get">You've Got Whatever's Left of Me to Get</a>" by kingofmice, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/whatever-s-left-of-me-to-get">https://scpwiki.com/whatever-s-left-of-me-to-get</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
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<p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p>
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This man is... tolerable.
Better than tolerable... he's nice. His hair is clean and styled, tastefully slicked back. He looks like a character in a movie, except he's real and he's sitting right across from her. It's well into the evening, the sky dark, they're sitting outside an Italian restaurant. Elstrom would have preferred to be //inside// somewhere a bit nicer, but she can stomach Italian just fine. The way the surrounding fairy lights reflect off his big brown eyes is cute.
"So, your profile was a bit vague on what you do for a living," he says. He's got an accent, French maybe? It's nice, just enough to sound attractive without being too thick or forced.
"I work as an administrator for a large, privately owned company." Close enough to the truth. "And you?"
"I work in sales for a tech manufacturing company." Sounds like there's money in that. Good money too by the looks of his freshly pressed suit. She's never been particularly hurting for cash, but financial stability is always a sexy trait. Rich, well dressed, an hour into the date without a single perverted comment...
This man might be perfect.
And then he laughs, throwing his head back, his mouth far too wide, too many teeth. Elstrom can barely remember what it is she said, too distracted staring up his nose. There's something deeply unpleasant about seeing him from the angle. What a grating sound to accompany it, and now that she thinks about it, his accent is annoying. And his teeth are far too white, the light is shining off of them.
As she thinks about it more... //sales for a tech manufacturing company?// He had to gall to call her vague? That suit could be rented, this whole air of competency an act. He'll pay for this first date, and then hold it over her head next time. That suit looks raggedy anyway, even if he's got good money he has poor taste. He could use a better barber too, and a different scent of cologne, and more interesting food preferences.
And his smile is weird. Shows off only his top row of teeth.
And his cheeks are too thin. Too much emphasis on his jawline.
And Elstrom can't picture herself waking up in the morning and sitting across from him and happily eating breakfast every morning.
"I had a lovely night," he says, taking her by the hand. Too firm, too warm. "I'd love to meet up again. Perhaps for coffee?"
She grimaces, teeth bared. "No thank you. I appreciate your time, but I don't think we'll be meeting again."
He frowns, shoulders slumping, but he plasters on a smile anyway. "I understand. I hope this was a good time for you nonetheless." He shakes her hand and with his head hung low, he politely leaves her be. She pictures him slumping away into a moldy apartment, dirty and unattractive, complaining to his similarly sloppy friends about some //bitch// he went on a date with the other night, and she feels no regret ending this night.
She walks home shrouded in darkness, feeling the same as she always does.
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Heavy bags hang under her eyes. She's never quite been able to get rid of them, but a layer of concealer usually does the trick. While she's contemplating her most recent failed romance, McInnis passes by her desk and pauses, a sheet of paper in his hand.
"A health inspector will be at the site in twenty minutes. I hate to spring this on you, but would you greet them and show them around the site for the next few days? I may find myself busy." He places the paper on top of what Elstrom is already looking at.
There's nothing she would like to do //less// than greet someone new, however McInnis has always been too //kind// to just outright say no to on matters like this. Fuck him really for just being naturally nice and charismatic. "Alright."
"Try to make a good impression for us," he says with a friendly sort of smile and then leaves her be.
After fifteen minutes, she begins her trek towards the site entrance. According to the paper, the inspector's name is Aubrey Al-Khafaji. Elstrom can already picture the sort of man this //Al-Khafaji// will be. He'll show up well-dressed in a suit and clipboard, oozing with professionalism. He'll try to make nice small talk around the site. Then, when they're alone, he'll make his true intentions known like the real creep he is. //Like every single other person they send to this site.//
//She should've just passed this off to someone else... too late now.//
Al-Khafaji is waiting for her, in a suit and holding a clipboard like Elstrom guessed, a tasteful leather satchel around his shoulders. He's a portly man, bit shorter than Elstrom, with black skin and a visor pinning an afro out of his face. He smiles as she approaches, the wrinkles around his lips and eyes indicating he's one to smile often. Hand outstretched to take hers, Al-Khafaji speaks and Elstrom realizes she made one snap judgement far too quickly.
//This Al-Khafaji is a woman.//
"Good to finally see someone! Though, I figure you're not Allen McInnis," she says like they're sharing some sort of joke. She has an accent, not one Elstrom immediately recognizes, but possibly Arabic? She takes her hand, her mind lagging as she decides her next move.
"I'm not, however I will be the one showing you around today. I'm Karen Elstrom, Karen is fine." Karen is fine? Since when is //Karen fine//? Why did she say that?
"Well then, Karen, Aubrey Al-Khafaji at your service!" She gives Elstrom's hand a hardy shake. "Feel free to lead the way! Lot of ground to cover."
Keeping her posture straight and her head forward, Elstrom marches down the halls. Now that this interaction has begun, it's her next goal to end it as quickly as possible. There's a comfortable well of solitude waiting for her at her desk.
They pass by each department, Al-Khafaji pausing their tour to chat with the department director and take notes on her clipboard. While she's taking notes on the state of Theology and Teleology, Elstrom clears her throat and asks, "Why does the Foundation need a health inspector?" It sounded a lot less rude in her head.
"Are you kidding? I would say the Foundation needs health inspectors more than anyone."
Elstrom stiffens, uncomfortable. "I meant, we have Janitorial and Maintenance. Doesn't that cover health and safety?"
"You would think! But someone-" she taps her chest with her pen, "-impartial has to make sure certain health standards are //actually// being met. There's a lot more dangers to working than whatever horrors you have locked up here."
Elstrom nods once. "Logical enough."
They continue on to Replication Studies. While they're idling by the break room, Dr. Wettle passes by holding a mug and strikes his head against an open cabinet door. Elstrom winces, sucking in a breath through her teeth. She never quite got the same //pleasure// out of seeing Wettle hurt himself as her peers, she found it more... //pitiful.// Al-Khafaji on the other hand stops what she's doing and rushes forward.
"Hey, are you alright?" she reaches up to put a hand on Wettle's shoulder.
"What?" he asks that it's the first time he's ever heard those words. "Yes I'm fine. I just-" he bumps his elbow against the counter and dumps his coffee onto her. Al-Khafaji gasps and backs up. "I'm so sorry about that!" He grabs a large handful of napkins and presses them into her chest. He then appears to think about where he's putting his hands, recoils, and dumps the rest of his coffee on himself. "Fuck!"
"Hey buddy, it's fine!" she says.
He groans. "Sorry." Deciding he's made enough of a fool of himself, he turns around and leaves, empty mug in hand.
"Bewildering..." Al-Khafaji gathers up the napkins and drops them in the trash.
"Your shirt," Elstrom says, for once at a total loss.
"Don't worry about it. Trust me, lukewarm coffee doesn't even make the list of the worst things people have spilled on me at work." She unbuttons her suit jacket and swings it over her shoulder.
"There's a bathroom over here." She gently takes her arm and leads her to said bathroom. Arms crossed behind her back, she waits by a stall for Al-Khafaji. The strangest feeling passes over her; the urge to fill the silence. "So, what's the worst mess you've ever been in while working?"
"Oh, now you're making me think." Al-Khafaji cocks her head to one side in thought. "Maybe not the worst mess, but I was watching these folks clean the kitchen at one of those big sites, the sort of sites where all of the staff live on site. They were moving this //huge// tub of grease somewhere to dispose of it, they were showing me where they put their waste you see, and apparently this tub-" she makes a series of hand motions, miming out the shape of this tub, "- wasn't secure and, Allahumma a'inni, they dumped the whole thing right on me and the folks carrying it around."
Al-Khafaji laughs and Elstrom clutches her stomach. She can barely stand the feeling of scraping the grease off her pans at home. The thought of gallons of it getting on her, all of it's sliminess on her skin, makes her want to vomit more than anything else.
"You alright over there?"
Elstrom notices her gaze and straightens up. "Yes, I'm fine." She waves her hand, dismissing Al-Khafaji's concern and clearing the air.
"Right." A pause. "Sooo, after I'm done with my report I was thinking of doing a bit of a bar crawl, checking out a few of the local places. Would you care to come with?"
Elstrom's throat closes up. She had expected this sort of advancement, but that was of course before she realized she'd be showing around another woman. "Don't you think... fraternizing after work would be a conflict of interest?"
"What? No, why would it be?"
Elstrom thinks for a moment, trying to find the perfect excuse for why she can't. It's been a well crafted skill; coming up with the perfect realistic sounding prior engagement to get out of any situation. But, as she mills over the options, she finds she doesn't actually want to deny this invitation. When does that ever get an opportunity like this? A social call with no expectations.
"I... suppose if I have nothing else going on tonight."
Al-Khafaji clasps her hands together. "Wonderful! Now then, I think I'd like you to show me where I'll be staying tonight."
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Elstrom steps off the taxi, heels clicking against the asphalt. Al-Khafaji emailed her hours earlier with details and this looks like the right place, with its flashy sign and music she can feel through the ground. There's still time for her to turn around, get back in the taxi, send Al-Khafaji an apologetic message justifying her absence.
Just by coming here she's made up her mind.
Passing over the door frame is like stepping into a new world, and she's literally stepped into other worlds before. Everything is bathed in purple light, the air smells sweet like soda syrup, and there's not a single man in sight. Like a fish out of water, Elstrom makes her way forward, for once very aware of how she's being looked at.
Site-43 prided itself on it's inclusiveness. People forget that among all the unpopular budget cuts and policy changes, Elstrom also has a hand in every anti-discrimination rule that allowed everyone to have their //gay old time//. Elstrom is, of course, familiar with aspects of lesbian culture, such as being butch or other aspects of gender nonconformity as it pertained to her job. But knowing about it is far different from... being invited to participate.
There's a seat waiting for her across from Al-Khafaji, an icy purple drink placed in front of her. While Elstrom dressed up for this invitation, Al-Khafaji dressed down. She's in a t-shirt that reveals a pair of strong arms and a tattoo on her right forearm. It's hard to tell what it's depicting, but she is momentarily captured by how well the gold patterning shows up and reflects the lights.
"Like what you see?" she asks with that playful tone of hers. Elstrom is momentarily frozen. "Come, sit. Don't look so frightened."
"I am... comfortable admitting I'm rather out of my depth here." At the very least, being so far out of her depth means she's at no risk of running into one of her colleagues here. Hopefully.
"No one here will bite without consent, I promise you that." She nudges the untouched drink closer to her. "Take and enjoy yourself a little! Watch the dancers!"
Elstrom takes her drink and turns her head towards the dance floor. It's not a large space, but the few people there are certainly putting it to good use. None of them are //good// dancers, but they are earnest. Something about that //earnestness// both demands her attention and has her flushed and looking away. She focuses her attention on Al-Khafaji's tattoo, like staring at it will reveal a hidden image within it.
"Have something you'd like to say?" Al-Khafaji asks, staring at her as she takes a drink.
"I was curious about your tattoo, I couldn't tell what it was in this lighting."
She looks at her arm, then holds it out for Elstrom to observe. Elstrom gingerly takes her hand in hers. "Was something an old friend designed for me," she explains, "Based on the staff of Anubis, I'm sure you're familiar." She traces out the shape in the air. "The pattern work is all hers."
"I see," Elstrom nods, letting go. "Do the patterns have any particular meaning? They're not memetic, I hope?"
"You take me for one to tattoo a memetic hazard to my body." She shakes her head, still smiling. "That pattern has no meaning, not anymore. I have some other tattoos I wouldn't mind showing off, but we may need to go somewhere a bit more private." She winks, effortlessly sliding from gently somber to flirty.
"In my work it's hardly an unreasonable question," she says, pointedly ignoring the rest of that sentence.
"I see. I must ask, how did you end up working here? For your Site-43?"
Elstrom looks around, unsure of how much she should say in a veiled space such as this. "Director McInnis found me unwittingly [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/11-turnover working for an anomalous bank]. Offered me a job soon after."
"Anomalous bank? Sounds interesting."
"It was not." After a beat, she catches the social cue to ask Al-Khafaji the same, "So how did you end up working for us?"
"I was born in Qena, Egypt. That is also where my home site is stationed, when I'm not traveling. When I was in college I needed a job, and so one day I appeared at Site-343 with my resume." She pauses to empty her glass. "They gave me a job as a filing clerk, with orders to never open a file! Then, when I graduated, they let me in on what they were really doing."
"Really? It was that simple for you?"
She shrugs. "It's a small site, they needed any extra hands they could get. Of course, these days I'm sure I spend more time traveling and looking at sites like yours than I do back home."
"Do you like that? Being so far from home?"
"Are you kidding? It's a dream! I don't think I could ever stay rooted to one spot again." She pauses. "At least, not unless I was //sure// I had something worth settling down for. I'm always willing to have my mind changed."
"If you don't mind me asking, do your parents know what you do?"
"I suppose I couldn't stop you from asking even if I did mind!" She laughs and Elstrom blanches. "They know I am a health inspector, they need not know much more than that. And yours? I'm sure whatever they know, they are impressed to have such a hard working daughter."
Elstrom scoffs. "They're both still veiled. Last I checked, my father was the sort of college professor other teachers fearmonger about, and my mother did interior design." She tugs at her shirt collar. "My mother gained a fascination in minimalism before that even became common, always obsessed with having as little stuff as possible to avoid clutter. I used to hide all of my toys in case they did not fit her //aesthetic//." She pauses, realizing that's not the //funny childhood anecdote// she thought it was. "I'm sure they think I'm dead."
"I see..." Al-Khafaji says, and Elstrom questions why she said so much. She realizes her drink is empty and Al-Khafaji motions for them to move closer to the bar for refills. Elstrom looks down as the bartender approaches and refills their drinks.
"I apologize if I have dominated the conversation."
She smiles, the skin around her nose scrunching up. "I like hearing you talk." She leans in an throws an arm around Elstrom's shoulders, a gesture she would never normally allow if she weren't feeling particularly charitable tonight. "My mother, in our small kitchen, would cook enough food daily to feed forty families. People would come to our home with dishware and money. My father, he wires houses. A //freelancer// you might call him." She cocks her head to the side. "Now we have both overshared!"
At the end of the night Elstrom finally sees a benefit for wearing multiple layers. A cold breeze passes by, making Al-Khafaji shiver. Elstrom considers stripping off her cardigan and handing it over in some mock imitation of a romantic gesture. She hesitates for too long to make a choice on the matter.
"You took a cab here?"
"I did."
"Then we can share a ride back home, and I can continue to be in your presence a little longer." She rubs her hands together and waves down a taxi. "If only we were back in Qena, I could take you home on my motorbike."
Elstrom has a vision of herself on the back of a bike, speeding down an open road. Her head on Al-Khafaji's shoulder, her hair swept up in the wind, her hands around Al-Khafaji's soft middle. She steps into the back of the taxi in a haze.
In the site, they part ways to their respective dorms, but Al-Khafaji takes her by the hand to say her peace.
"I'm glad you came out with me! It would have been no fun drinking with strangers." She leans in, propped up on her tip toes, and pecks Elstrom on the cheek. Momentarily stunned, Elstrom says nothing as she leaves.
In Elstrom's dorm she drags herself past piles of papers and objects to the bathroom. Every time she walks past the mess she's made of her home, she pictures Dr. Ngo's voice in her head, making some statement on how she's subconsciously attempting to rebel against her mother's tendencies via developing a hoarding habit. But she by no means needs a therapist to tell her about her problems, and she's not hurting anyone but herself living like this.
The bathroom mirror reveals the imprint of Al-Khafaji's lips on her cheek. She hadn't even realized she was wearing lipstick up until this moment. She presses her fingers against the marking, mind lingering in the hallway outside.
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Early in the morning, Elstrom and McInnis pass by each other on their way to their respective offices. McInnis pauses in his steps and turns to watch her pass him by. She looks odd this morning, not that McInnis would ever judge on appearance alone, but it surprises him to see her unkempt. There's a blotchy marking on her cheek, almost like a bruise.
"Karen?"
"Hm?" She turns to face him, revealing the lipstick mark on her cheek.
"You've... got something on your cheek." He points to his cheek.
Elstrom tenderly touches the marking, mumbling out a soft, "Oh." She turns her back to him and shuffles off to the bathroom and McInnis continues on to his office.
The dried splotch comes off with a wet wipe, it would've cleaned off easier if she hadn't slept in it. Now that she thinks about it, she hasn't touched up her make-up, or really done anything to her appearance besides a change of clothes. She simply rolled out of bed. Her //just rolled out of bed// may be the average person's //several hour make-up routine//, but can she really let herself be seen this way?
Can she really let Al-Khafaji see her this way?
Al-Khafaji's grinning face appears in her vision, and a hot pain creeps up in her stomach. It's different than the usual nausea she gets. It's less like she's going to throw up and more like she's collapsing in on herself. Not willing to take the risk either way, she runs into the nearest stall.
Her breathing is heavy and labored. That's the thing in these types of situations right, she needs to get her breathing under control. She would take slow, deep breaths, but she's in a public bathroom. She doesn't even like breathing too much in her own bathroom.
//What the hell is her problem anyway?// Is she so insecure that even the //thought// of showing her natural face brings her to her knees? Or is it simply Al-Khafaji's approval of her that has her sickened? And which is more or less mortifying?
"Dr. Elstrom, are you alright in there?" McInnis calls. Elstrom says nothing, stunned to silence. "I ask because it's been quite a while, and I can hear you hyperventilating. If you are sick, it would be no trouble to send you home."
"I'm fine, sir." She swallows and tells herself she means it.
After a moment of silence, McInnis says, "If you say so. How is your progress on the inspection?"
She gets out of the stall and splashes a bit of water onto her face. "There have been no notable incidents, though I couldn't tell you for certain what Dr. Al-Khafaji has been writing."
"I see. I hope the rest goes just as well." She hears him start walking away.
"Sir! Before you go... could I ask some advice of you?"
He stops. "Of course you may."
"There's something that I... want. And even though I have pursued similar things, I... find myself hesitating and I'm not sure why."
"Sounds like you're nervous about potential consequences. But I believe if you think this //thing//, whatever it is you desire, will make you happy, then you should continue to pursue it. Even if it might not be simple, or entirely painless."
Elstrom looks at her hands, pointedly not observing her reflection. "I see, thank you, sir. That's all." After a silence, she hears McInnis's footsteps. When they're no long audible, she runs a hand through her hair to smooth it out, and turns to leave.
Al-Khafaji is waiting for her outside of Identity and Technocryptography. She waves as Elstrom approaches. Elstrom steels herself, the words she wants to say hanging at the end of her tongue. //Dinner at my place tonight.//
"Looking bright and eager this morning!" She says with a tip of her visor. "On with the tour?"
"Right." //Say it. Say it now.//
Al-Khafaji walks a few paces in front of her, leaving Elstrom to wonder why she even needs a guide when she's clearly capable of navigating herself. Back against the wall, she watches her pull out her phone and start taking pictures. Did she find some sort of issue in the walls and ceiling? She's still now, perfect opportunity to strike up conversation.
"Dr. Al-"
//THUNK!// "Oh, goddamn it!"
The exclamation startles both of them, and they both swivel to see Phillip Deering struggling with a janitorial cart. One of the front wheels is twisted at an angle and Deering gives it a few kicks back into place. Prepared to ignore him, Elstrom turns to continue her conversation, but Al-Khafaji walks past her.
"Do you need a hand?"
Deering looks taken aback. "Oh, well you don't have to. I've..." Before he can stutter out a few more dismissals she's already dropped down and twisted the wheel back into place. Deering's mirror monster says something that makes his head jerk in frustration.
"Can I ask you a few questions about your experiences working in Janitorial and Maintenance here?" She leans in, notepad and pen in hand.
He looks around and shrugs. "I guess so. Are we in trouble or something?"
"No, //no//, of course not. It's just my job to assure your health and safety." She gives a disarming smile, eyes not even flickering toward the mirrors. "How often are there injuries on site unrelated to anomalous happenings?"
"Not very often. I mean there's Dr. Wettle, he's in replications, he gets hurt sometimes. Though that might be a sort of... anomalous happening." He takes a deep breath. "Other than that, no I don't think so. Though I'm sure the medical folks could answer that better than me."
"I see. And your boss." She pulls a paper out of her satchel to double check her notes. "Ms. Amelia Torosyan-Deering. How lenient would you say she is with with the Foundation health and safety guidelines?"
"It's uh- Mrs. actually. And she's not lenient at all, she makes sure everything is right up to code! Maybe even above code!" Now he has some energy to him; he quickly tacks on, "But y'know she doesn't overwork us, treats us all fairly. //Shut up, Doug.//" He whispers that last part.
If Elstrom had any desire to join this conversation, she'd point out that Deering is incredibly biased. But she doesn't and it goes unspoken. Her foot //tap tap taps// against the ground as this impromptu interview continues. She checks her watch, the wall clock, her watch again. It's not as though they're particularly low on time, it's still early and there's still tomorrow to finish this, but there's something hot burning in her veins.
"... and would you say-" Deering gestures for Al-Khafaji to stop, perhaps sensing Elstrom's impatience.
"Sorry I uh, I don't mind talking but I should get moving. I hope your inspection goes well." He pushes the cart forward without much struggle.
"Alright! Have a good day!" She waves him off. "And you too!" She says to the mirror before the mirror monster promptly disappears.
"Usually people are a little more... off put by him," Elstrom says, watching Deering go.
"Him? He seemed rather normal."
"Not him per se, the thing following him."
From her satchel Al-Khafaji pulls out a pamphlet. "I was given this before arriving. Nice little explanation of your containment habits. Though, it's not too different from how things are done back home."
"Is that so? What sort of anomalies are contained in Qena?"
"We hardly contain at all! A lot of the things your people call //anomalous// are what my home would call //superstitions//. Rarely is anything so harmful it must be hidden." She says as though it's completely obvious, which it very well might be.
"Hm, it never occurred to me that there would be... different types of normalcy." They're talking now, Elstrom realizes, her heart jumping into her throat. They're talking and she should say it, //say it now//! "Are in interested in dinner tonight?"
Al-Khafaji gives her a funny look. "I'm interested in dinner every night."
Elstrom swallows. "My home. Tonight."
Al-Khafaji smiles, her cheeks pushing up her eyes. "Now that just sounds wonderful!"
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Elstrom crosses her dorm again. She's counted: it takes twenty long strides to go from her bedroom door, to the kitchen fridge, to her bedroom door again. This she time makes the trek in nineteen steps, which is strange because she would expect it to take an even amount of steps no matter what. Which corner did she cut the first time that she didn't the second time?
Something much more important comes knocking on her door. One of the chefs from the cafeteria pushes in a cart with four dishes, still steaming hot. "Put everything on the dining table except the dessert. You can put that in the kitchen," Elstrom says as she pulls out her wallet.
"Got it," says the chef. They place three dishes on the table: a plate of six hawawshi sandwiches, a dish of Koshari, and a dish of Egyptian Moussaka. The two glasses, Elstrom had made a specific request for the nicest dishware they had, of Roz Bel Laban go the the kitchen. "You've got a nice place here."
"Thanks," she replies politely. Most of the clutter that's usually spread across her dorm has been moved to her bedroom and living room where it will hopefully go unnoticed.
Contacting the cafeteria staff for personal calls like this was hardly out of the ordinary, but Elstrom had called in about and hour and a half earlier with a very strict time frame and a rather unorthodox order. This would cost her, but between having her date crashed by a sentient boat or finding herself in her twenties again, a simple dinner in the comfort of her own home is priceless.
She places two thousand dollars in the chef's hands to be divided amongst the staff. The chef lets out a low whistle, counting and recounting just to make sure they had that number correct.
"Pleasure doing business with you, ma'am!" they tip their hat on their way out.
Now the real waiting begins and Elstrom returns to her pacing with fervor. If she keeps moving she doesn't have to ask herself //why// the idea of meeting with Al-Khafaji brings her such anxiety. It's only the first time she's let someone into her private space in... And it's not like it's any scarier than the dates she usually goes on. Not that this is a date! Very much //not a date//! Just a... dinner between acquaintances.
That she just been two grand on... Which! Might be cheaper than the money she usually spends on dates, often on new clothes before and after, which makes this all reasonable!
A knock on the door. Elstrom dabs the sweat from her forehead, double checks her makeup, and opens the door. Al-Khafaji is leaning up against the door frame, wearing a brown striped button down with a pressed violet pinned over her heart. The sleeves are rolled up, showing off those strong forearms of hers and that intricate tattoo on her forearm. It's almost //infuriating// how well she makes such a simple outfit look.
It's most certainly //fury// that's making Elstrom's entire body so warm...
"I knew I smelled something //real// good on my way here. You didn't go all out for little ole me, did you?" she asks with a flutter of her eyelashes.
"No, of course not," she says perhaps a little too quickly and far too defensively. Al-Khafaji's demeanor wavers. "Come in."
"Oh wow, you really did go all out!" she exclaims as she observes the table spread. "Do we say grace and just dig in?"
"I'm... not Christian."
"I would hope not." She sits and breathes in the air. "Alhamdulillah, it's like I'm on the streets back home. Is this homemade?"
Elstrom pauses. "Yes." Not a lie, it was made here, in her home at Site-43.
"You are wonderful!" she says, clasping her hands together. "Forgive me, but I've always had preference for women who can cook."
Elstrom lifts her glass of sparkling water to her lips, coolly deflecting this discussion.
"May I?" she asks, hand hovering over the hawawshi.
"Do help yourself."
Al-Khafaji loads her plate and Elstrom does the same. This is the part of the not-date where she's supposed to make small talk, but she's never spoken small in her life. And she's far too preoccupied with watching Al-Khafaji's hands move and her lips part to figure out how to do it now.
"What do you do for fun?" she asks between bites, catching Elstrom off guard. She has no pre-scripted line for this question; in fact, she has no answer at all.
"You first."
"Oh, making //me// carry the conversation, huh? I see how it is." She tilts her head slightly upward when she's thinking. "I've gained a fascination for styles of architecture."
"Is that so?"
"I suppose when you spend your job in so many different buildings, picking all the little flaws out, you start to notice what the buildings themselves look like." She punctuates her sentences by taking a drink. "You may have seen me taking photos of your site, soon I'll have the exact words to describe it."
"I had assumed those were for your work. I'd never considered that there's anything special to how a building appears." She tabs her nails rhythmically against the table. "What's your favorite style?"
"Hmm... googie."
Elstrom chokes on a surprised chuckle. "What?"
"It was a style I encountered while inspecting America's //Las Vegas//. It's what you may call a type of futurist architecture, it's all about angles but also curves and arches." She shakes her head. "Perhaps not the most interesting choice, but that name certainly got a laugh out of you!"
"Without context it sounds quite strange."
"I'm sure. But that's enough out of me." The table creeks as Al-Khafaji leans forward and puts her weight on it. "You can not keep up this air of mysticism you're so found of forever. Tell me, what do you do for fun."
She opens her mouth and keeps it open for several seconds. "I... don't."
"Hm?"
"I go on dates occasionally, and I buy new clothes. But... that's not really fun, is it?" she asks herself out loud, as though this is the first time she's come to this conclusion.
The chair legs scrape against the floor as Al-Khafaji shifts uncomfortably. "Clothes? I've noticed the fancy fabrics on you. Why don't you tell me about that?"
"Well, I don't know all the fashion terms like you might with architecture. However, I often buy anything new and high end I can get my hands on. So, I have quite the wardrobe, so to speak."
"Is that so? Well I certainly wouldn't mind a fashion show, if you'd ever like to show off." Al-Khafaji raises her glass to her lips and wiggles her eyebrows. Elstrom thinks about it, and then she thinks about the mess she spent today shoving into her bedroom, and shame boils up inside of her.
"Perhaps another time."
"I see, you're not the type to just let anyone into your bedroom."
By this point they've cleared their plates, or at least Al-Khafaji has and Elstrom has had her fill. She stands and steps into the kitchen, returning with the Roz Bal Laban. Al-Khafaji throws her head back with a laugh.
"When I think I can't be spoiled enough! You'll make me rotten at this rate!" She takes the glass graciously.
"Believe me, you could be far more spoiled." Elstrom nudges her pudding with a spoon, more interested in watching Al-Khafaji for longer. She could not stomach another bite, but there's joy to be had in watching someone else enjoy themselves.
As their dinner comes to a close, they both raise to their feet. Elstrom is about to speak, but Al-Khafaji beats her to the punch. She puts her hand on Elstrom's hip and Elstrom is helpless.
"Karen," her heart skips a beat hearing her name on the other woman's lips, "You have given me a wonderful night, and you are undeniably beautiful. I must show you my affection." She leans in, pressing their chests together, and sealing them in a kiss.
In half a second Elstrom realizes three very important things. One, Al-Khafaji is very warm. Burning even with how much she radiates and fills the space around her. Two, this is the first time a date non-date has ever made it to a kiss. The kiss is nice too, like they were made to be slotted together. Three, this is the most terrified Elstrom has ever been in her life.
The moment that half a second ends, she puts her entire strength into shoving Al-Khafaji off. She stumbles back, catching herself on the table, and looks back with the expression of a kicked puppy. Elstrom pants and trembles and stares back with wide eyes. Slowly, Al-Khafaji straightens herself out.
"I see I've misunderstood the situation."
Elstrom swallows thickly. "That's correct."
She gestures to the table. "Do you care to keep the leftovers?"
"... you may take them with you." She quietly steps into the kitchen, selecting three tupperware containers and handing them over. She turns her back to Al-Khafaji as she fills them up. Al-Khafaji hovers by the door once she's finished.
"I apologize for... making it awkward, so to speak."
This is where Elstrom is to dispense some form of admonishment or forgiveness, but she finds she has neither to give. With a sigh, Al-Khafaji leaves.
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At eight fourteen in the morning Elstrom rolls over in bed and picks her phone off of the nightstand. "Hello, I've come down with a stomach bug this morning and I won't be coming to work today. Anything important can be left on my desk until tomorrow." She doesn't need to act to make herself sound sick, and it's a common enough occurrence that McInnis won't ask for proof.
In ten hours Al-Khafaji will be done with her report and she'll be gone from this site for good. Those ten hours can't move fast enough in her opinion. If she were to be smart about this, she'd use this free time she's given herself to make something presentable of her home. And yet all she can get herself to do is wrap herself even tighter in her blanket.
Logically, this shouldn't bother her. It's hardly the first time a fellow coworker hit on her, hell it's not even the first time a fellow woman has hit on her. Yet something in her stomach aches, not the usual sick she feels, but like something is eating her. Like something has been eating her for years.
Images of that bar bathed in purple lights keep flashing in her mind. She just can't stop thinking about the music, about Aubrey's hand in hers, about the lipstick mark on her cheek, about how causally she went in for the kiss, like she knew exactly what she wanted.
She can't stop thinking about [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/transposthumousism Quinn Law].
Quinn Law appeared in front of Elstrom when she was still reeling in the death of her most recent horrible date. //There's a woman who knows exactly where she is in the world,// Elstrom thought as Law took her my the arm and dragged her across Three Portlands.
Law was beautiful, //is// beautiful. And confident in a way Elstrom could never be. Whether fueled by bravery or ignorance, Law went through every area like she knew she belonged there. And she looked at Elstrom, the woman she thought Elstrom was, with such affection. Like there was something in her, something real, that could be desired.
And it never could've worked out.
Law was taken for one, which isn't necessarily an obstacle. Monogamy is an outdated practice and Elstrom has seen firsthand how open and non-conventional relationships can work. But it's simply not what appeals to her.
Law was also UIU. Even if Elstrom could handle the distance between 3ports and Canada, a relationship between a UIU agent and a Foundation bureaucrat just wouldn't work out. The hostilities between their two groups, on top of the responsibilities placed on both, it would just be too much.
And most of all... Elstrom was afraid. Afraid of what Law saw when she looked at her with affection. And afraid even more so that what Law was seeing was a total fabrication, a projection of what //could// be there. Afraid of what Law would do when she found that there was simply nothing worth loving about Elstrom at all.
Instead of saying any of that, she looked Law in the eyes and said, "I prefer men." And Law looked away, already a million worlds away from her.
If Elstrom could tell herself that it simply never could've happened, then its absence doesn't have to hurt.
There's a knock at her dorm's door. The sound shocks her out of her thoughts. Surely no one would have a single good reason to bother her at this time, and yet they insist on knocking again. Like a ghost, Elstrom raises from her bed, dragging her tangled up blankets and sheets with her.
Something smells good. Spending the day rotting in bed has left her starving. Opening the door just a crack reveals McInnis, some sort of dish cradled in his arms.
"I hope I didn't wake you."
"You didn't," she says, hoarse.
"Good. I brought you something I hope will make you feel a little better today." He shoulders the door open and places the dish in her hands. It's a macaroni and cheese, the cheese is gooey and streaming, freshly home cooked.
It's thoughtful enough to bring a tear to her eye.
More than that even.
"Did I offend?" his hand hesitantly hovers over her shoulder, like if he touches her she'll shatter into dust. She backs up, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Aubrey's face appears in her vision. The dish is warm against Elstrom's chest and she's thinking about Aubrey embracing her, that moment where their bodies pressed together, right before Elstrom pulled away. How she wishes she had to foresight to wrap her arms around Aubrey's waist and pull her closer.
And Elstrom can picture herself waking up in the morning and sitting across from her and happily eating breakfast every morning.
"I just realized I have to do something!" She slams the door shut in his face and runs to set down the dish and put on shoes. Any shoes will do.
It's almost five pm, Al-Khafaji should still be on site, if only Elstrom could get there a little quicker...
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Al-Khafaji sits on the edge of a parking lot, clicking her pen rhythmically. There's a warm space welcome to her back inside the site, but she would rather wait for the helicopter to come pick her up out here. She looks at her watch again and it tells her it's been a full minute since she looked at her watch last.
She takes in a deep breath of the cold evening air and lets it all out in a huff. In the distance she can hear the hum of a helicopter blade, and see the tiny black dot in the sky grow ever larger. Raising to her feet, she brushes the dust off her pants, ready to rid herself of this place.
"Aubrey!" Al-Khafaji stops in her tracks and reels her head around. Pulling down her visor to block out the sun, she spots another little dot approaching her. Elstrom comes to a stop before her, breathing loudly, hunched over with her hands on her knees.
"Dr. Elstrom, I thought you were sick," she says with a playful, yet professional tone, the way one might joke with a total stranger. She turns just slightly to avoid looking Elstrom in the eyes.
"I need to say something to you."
Al-Khafaji looks over her shoulder with a weary frown. "Well don't feel the need to hurry."
Elstrom freezes, standing up straight like a deer in the headlights. She looks a bit like a deer that wasn't quick enough getting out of the road. Her hair is unkempt, she's still in her uniform from yesterday with is now soaked in sweat and sticking to her skin, and she hasn't done her make-up, showing up every wrinkle to the world. And she needs to say //something//.
After a minute of silence, Al-Khafaji sighs and turns her back to Elstrom. "Look, Karen, you're a beautiful woman. But I know the sort of person you are, and I'm just not interested in getting caught up in whatever argument you're having with yourself. Either you //know// what you want, or you don't."
"I know what I want." Before she can stop herself, she goes in for a hug. Al-Khafaji tenses, more out of shock than discomfort. "I've known what I've wanted for a long time now, and I was unfair to you. I'm so sorry for that."
She shoulders Elstrom off so she can turn to face her. She looks her up and down, taking in every flaw in Elstrom's appearance. "Wow, you really mean that, huh?" Behind her the helicopter touches the ground and she glances nervously at it.
Elstrom nods. "I think you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen. I should've told you that. And I don't want you to leave." //Not now, not when she's finally let herself have this.//
"Look, you know I can't stay. We've both got jobs to do, places to be."
//"Dr. Al-Khafaji, what's the hold up!"// calls the pilot over the whirl of the helicopter.
She swallows, a single tear running down her cheek. "Is that it then?"
Al-Khafaji looks at the helicopter, and then back at Elstrom, and then at the pen in her hand. "It doesn't have to be." She takes Elstrom's wrist, pulls her arm and start, and scrawls her number across her forearm. Elstrom gasps and tenses at the pen's point digs into her skin.
"Aubrey..." she mumbles.
"Send me a message when I touch down in two hours, okay? Don't be shy!" She smiles and waves her off as she makes a run to get on the helicopter. Elstrom stands there, letting the winds blow all around her, as Al-Khafaji lifts off into the air.
She wishes she had kissed her.
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//Breathe Elstrom, keep it together.//
[[div class="text-container-wrap"]]
[[div class="text-container"]]
[[div class="sent"]]
[[span class="text"]]**K_Elstrom**
Hello, this is Dr. Elstrom. I am messaging you to confirm you've reached your location safely. I hope your ride was comfortable. Feel free to message me back whenver you have a spare moment.[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
Three little dots appear. Elstrom puts her hand over her heart to keep it in her rib cage.
[[div class="text-container-wrap"]]
[[div class="text-container"]]
[[div class="recv"]]
[[span class="text"]]**A_Al-Khafaji**
Do you always text like this?[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
Her cheeks grow flushed with embarrassment, before it occurs to her that Aubrey is simply being playful.
[[div class="text-container-wrap"]]
[[div class="text-container"]]
[[div class="sent"]]
[[span class="text"]]**K_Elstrom**
Yes.[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="recv"]]
[[span class="text"]]**A_Al-Khafaji**
Cute <3[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="recv"]]
[[span class="text"]]**A_Al-Khafaji**
I'm glad you messaged me. I was a bit worried you weren't going to and I did that whole dramatic exit for nothing lol[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
She lefts out a sigh of relief. This is good, normal even, she's doing fine.
[[div class="text-container-wrap"]]
[[div class="text-container"]]
[[div class="sent"]]
[[span class="text"]]**K_Elstrom**
I'm glad that I did.[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="sent"]]
[[span class="text"]]**K_Elstrom**
Are you doing well?[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="recv"]]
[[span class="text"]]**A_Al-Khafaji**
I'm real tired from y'know being on a helicopter for a while[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="recv"]]
[[span class="text"]]**A_Al-Khafaji**
About to take a shower. Maybe we can chat some more after ;)[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
She hugs her phone to the chest, needing a second to remind herself how to breathe again.
[[div class="text-container-wrap"]]
[[div class="text-container"]]
[[div class="sent"]]
[[span class="text"]]**K_Elstrom**
See you after you shower then. And thank you.[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[div class="recv"]]
[[span class="text"]]**A_Al-Khafaji**
What're you thanking me for?[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
She pauses, picking her thoughts carefully. What //isn't// she thanking her for?
[[div class="text-container-wrap"]]
[[div class="text-container"]]
[[div class="sent"]]
[[span class="text"]]**K_Elstrom**
Just, thank you.[[/span]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
[[/div]]
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| 2025-01-10T22:59:00 | [
"bittersweet",
"doctor-elstrom",
"forgotten-memories",
"lgbtq",
"romance",
"slice-of-life",
"tale"
] | You've Got Whatever's Left of Me to Get - SCP Foundation | 14 | [
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] | [] | 1458224366 | https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/whatever-s-left-of-me-to-get |
Subsets and Splits