annassilverring

Tiny Dancer

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe¹

Special Containment Procedures: [Paragraphs explaining the procedures]

SCP-XXXX must be held in a soundproof transparent case allowing it to be safely observed from the outside. The container should be 3m x 3m x 3m or larger in order to contain instances of SCP-XXXX-1. The material must have a natural resonance well-outside the range of audible hearing. The object must also be monitored by video-feed, with the monitoring system configured to produce an alert if the object moves or emits a sound.

Any sounds emitted by SCP-XXXX should not be listened to directly, except while the object is undergoing authorised testing.

Instances of SCP-XXXX emitting sound or moving under its own will should be noted with the exact date and time. Recordings should be backed up and sent for analysis by Senior Researchers at Site 25.

Description:

SCP-XXXX is a wooden rectangular music-box measuring 15 x 10 x 10 cm. It was recovered by the Foundation in June 1932, along with several items from the 'Blue Room' of the Wellington estate.

Although initially appearing to be non-functional, SCP-XXXX has since been observed spontaneously opening and playing music. The figurine within the music box slowly raises her arms as the music progresses, her painted expression changes, and her white ballet shoes show red stains which fade after some time.

Humans who hear the music are typically drawn towards the music-box and watch the dancer for several minutes, often smiling and seeming become more relaxed the longer the music plays. When audio or video recordings are subsequently reviewed, the music is replaced by static, similar to that of an un-tuned radio. Video recordings often show translucent entities (SCP-XXXX-1), unseen at the time of the recording, emanating from the object.

See Observations Log below for details of known spontaneous openings.

The music-box is made of wood, painted white, with a faded boarder of climbing red roses decorating the sides. The lid has been painted with a single red rose bloom, surrounded by fallen petals. The exterior of the box shows signs of wear appropriate to its age, with scuff-marks and several scratches to the exterior paint suggesting that the box was once subject to frequent handling.

The back of the box shows a brass-rimmed slot into which a key ought to fit for winding the music-box mechanism. The key has not been recovered.

The interior of the box is lined with purple velvet. The back of the box consists of a raised platform, in the centre of which is a wooden figurine of a ballet-dancer. When not exhibiting anomalous behaviour, the dancer's arms are in 'demi-seconde'² position.

Observation Logs

+ Initial Categorisation - 6th June 1932

SCP-XXXX was recovered along with a variety of items for the 'Blue Room' of the Wellington Estate after the █████████ Event in May 1932. Researcher A Sinclair was tasked with examining the more mundane items for signs of anomalous properties.

Notes from A Sinclair on the morning of the 6th June

Small white music box with a ballet dancer figurine (arms in demi-seconde, unusual!). No objects within the box.

The box seems harmless and in reasonably good condition, considering. I cannot find a key to wind the music mechanism, but turning the figurine by hand produces a few metallic notes, so the mechanism would likely work again, if wound.

The box shows no signs of anomalous properties and should be returned to ██████ & Son's as part of the Auction.

+ Updated Categorisation - 6th June 1932

A Sinclair

I returned to the lab to find the previously closed music box with the lid open. I am certain I closed the lid. I have checked the hinges for any faults, but they are quite firm, even stiff to open. I could be mistaken, but given the circumstances recommend that the box be kept within the lab until the other items are categorised.

---

The box appears capable of opening unaided. The dancer's arms also appear to have moved from by her sides to above her head. Will advise that we retain the box for further investigation.

Do not return to ██████ & Son's for Auction

+ Observations - 14th June 1932

M Thompson

Attempted to fit the winding mechanism with numerous keys and tools, but nothing catches and the box cannot be wound. The dancer within the box can be turned by hand for half a rotation, and three notes are heard, before the mechanism stiffens and cannot be turned further.

I left the box upside-down on the workbench while in search of tools to remove the base from the box. When I returned 10 minutes later, the box had righted itself, although the lid remained closed and latched. I confirmed that no-one had entered the lab in my absence. On opening the lid, I noted that the dancer's arms were raised above her head and her shoes were stained red at the toes.

I turned the box upside-down again, this time marking its exact position with a chalk outline on the workbench and placing a shilling on the bottom of the box. When I left the lab and returned 10 minutes later, the box was upright within the chalk outline. The shilling was gone.

Recommend that SPC-XXXX undergo video surveillance to understand how changes in position come about.

[[collapsible show="+ Observations - 6th September 1932" hide="- Observations - 6th September 1932"]]

Addendum: [Optional additional paragraphs]

Glass Prisons

Footnotes

1. SCP-XXXX is capable of autonomous movement only in order to right itself. SCP-XXXX has not been observed to move or demanifest. The single instance of a crack in the glass walls surrounding SCP-XXXX has been traced to insufficient acoustic dampening.

2. arms half-raised to the sides, with the wrists at waist height