Aers' Sandbox

Item #: SCP-5000

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5000, in its dormant state, has been deemed part of normalcy; as a consequence, containment is not advised. Variation in the typical lifecycle of SCP-5000 instances must be monitored, and any deviations reported immediately.

Description: SCP-5000 is a symbiotic creature whose lifecycle mainly occurs inside the human body, and has infected the majority of the human population. It benefits the host by acting as the internal appendage commonly referred to as the tongue. SCP-5000 instances are largely dormant; however, under significant environmental stress, an instance will apply force against the ligaments in the hyoid bone and mandible until failure to free itself.

Once unconstrained, SCP-5000 will escape the oral cavity and ambulate through rapid undulation of the foliate papillae in search of food and potential mates. SCP-5000 display hoarding behaviour, and will deposit food into their host's mouth for preservation and later consumption. The diet of SCP-5000 is largely opportunistic, but shows a preference for vegetation, fruit, spiders, and small insects.

Courtship behaviour of SCP-5000 involves an intricate display of body language and exchange of fluids. Once mating has completed, SCP-5000 will return to its host and re-attach itself. Impregnated egg cells are oviposited into the tonsillar crypts which form hard, calcified masses where they mature until they are swallowed. Larvae will infect a foetus if present, or will otherwise harmlessly be excreted.

But then came the Tongues on that terrible day.
Steadfast as winter, they entered the fray.

And all heard the music of Alduin's doom.
The sweet song of Skyrim, sky-shattering Thu'um

^{— Skyrim: Tale of the Tongues}

---

I had another idea for classic-con, but I feel like it wasn't a good fit for multiple reasons.

Nevertheless, I was determined to throw something out for this contest, so here it is. In every competition with bonus achievements or optional constraints, I always try to pick all of them as a challenge to myself. I couldn't manage all of them, but I did attempt:

• The Orignal (this piece is 233 words)
• The Blind
• The Amnesiac
• The Fortune ("preference", "population", "language", "variation", and "consequence")¹
• Perfection

---

Footnotes

1. Screenshot is attached in the SCP's image files.

---

AAAAAA