SCP-XXXX - SCP Sandbox III

SCP-XXXX

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Item #: SCP-XXXX	Level 2/XXXX
Object Class: Safe	Classified

SCP-XXXX upon first discovery by Foundation personnel.

Special Containment Procedures:
SCP-XXXX is to be kept in a medium plastic container at Bio Site-95, locked in a steel safe in the office of Dr. Zaretsky when not in use. SCP-XXXX's containment is to be filled with a thin layer of substrate, moistened with 200ml of water when required. 50g of decaying plant matter is to be added to the container on a monthly basis. The windows in Dr. Zaretsky's office are to remain closed at all times.

Description:
SCP-XXXX is an anomalous fungus, closely resembling Stropharia aeruginosa, with a stem height of approximately 7cm and a cap width of approximately 8cm. In its unaltered state, SCP-XXXX appears to have adnate, pale grey gills and a convex, blue-green cap. When it is not absorbing nutrients, SCP-XXXX is capable of retracting its hyphae, allowing it to move around.

SCP-XXXX's anomalous properties occur when any living organism touches SCP-XXXX, including plants and animals. SCP-XXXX will then begin to shift its appearance in order to exhibit various physical characteristics and movements that are believed to be a representation of the subject's psyche. These effects seem to be limited simply to the visible parts of the subjects personality, such as phobias and current emotional state, suggesting SCP-XXXX does not possess any sort of telepathic abilities.
Update, 22/06/2020: Further observation of SCP-XXXX's anomalous properties has concluded that repeated interaction with SCP-XXXX allows the object to display deeper insights into the subjects subconscious. The means that SCP-XXXX uses to obtain this insight is currently unknown.¹

Addendum XXXX-A, Discovery:
SCP-XXXX became known to the Foundation on 17/09/2020, after a recording of a mushroom seemingly changing colour when touched by a group of British adolescents was uploaded to a popular video-streaming site. The video has since been removed from the site² and Class B amnestics have been administered to the group involved in it's creation.

Addendum XXXX-B, Experiment Log:

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Date: 22/11/2019

Test XXXX-001: SCP-XXXX was exposed to a plant, which was then burned with a lighter.

Results: SCP-XXXX turned black and released smoke-like spores, indicating SCP-XXXX's properties extend to plant life as well as fauna.

Date: 20/12/2019

Test XXXX-002: SCP-XXXX was exposed to a solid steel block, which was then hit with a hammer to test if its anomalous properties also work on inanimate objects.

Results: No response.

Note: This is a waste of Foundation resources. You aren't going to get an emotional response from a block of metal. Do not let this happen again. - Site-95 Director

Date: 13/01/2020

Test XXXX-003: After several weeks under the care of Dr. Zaretsky, SCP-XXXX was exposed to an image of an Orb-weaver spider. Dr. Zaretsky has told me that she suffers with arachnophobia, and as such, this test is to see if SCP-XXXX has picked up on this.

Results: SCP-XXXX began to exhibit movement, rolling away from the image. It seems SCP-XXXX acquired Dr. Zaretsky’s arachnophobia.³

Note: The only people I told about this prior to testing was Dr. Danielle Baker and my husband. I only tell those I truly care about that I have a phobia SCP-XXXX had no way of knowing of my phobia prior to this. - Dr. Zaretsky

Date: 10/02/2020

Test XXXX-004: SCP-XXXX was exposed to a lab rat that has been conditioned to be fearful of fungi, a mirror was placed in the experiment area in order to test how SCP-XXXX reacted to its reflection.

Results: SCP-XXXX rolled away from its own reflection, moving whenever the mirror was placed in front of it again. SCP-XXXX was shaking following this experiment.

Date: 22/03/2020

Test XXXX-005: SCP-XXXX was placed in a containment cell with SCP-1077 to test interaction between other anomalous fungi.⁴

Results: SCP-XXXX and SCP-1077 both began emitting an exponential amount of spores. D-2304 was sent in to retrieve SCP-XXXX and was immediately quarantined to observe the effects of the spores.
When the effect of SCP-1077 became apparent in D-2304, two voices tried to speak at the same time. One voice sounded particularly scratchy and static, which is believed to be a poor attempt on SCP-XXXX's part to replicate SCP-1077. This put immense strain on D-2304's vocal chords, leaving some permanent damage.

NOTICE [29/12/2019]: After personnel assigned to SCP-XXXX reported observing several anomalous effects of SCP-XXXX during general daily care⁵ , It has been suggested that an observation log should be kept to document these instances alongside formal experiments.⁶

Addendum XXXX-C, Dr. Zaretsky's Audio Observation Log

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27/12/2019: “[how do I even work this thing… have we not changed voice recorders since the 80's or something?] Ahem.. Foreword. This is Dr. Mabel Zaretsky, Mycologist and Lead Researcher of SCP-XXXX. This log will be used as a means of immediately documenting anomalous properties of SCP-XXXX as they occur in real time. I confirm this log will be used solely by myself for research purposes only. If this tape has been discovered, please contact either myself, or the Site-95 Director immediately. [Great, how do I turn it off now?]”

28/12/2019: "SCP-XXXX periodically changes its colour… it is suspected that this may be related to emotional shifts. I have requested that Junior Researcher Dr. Danielle Baker cause a forced emotional shift in myself when it is not expected so we can observe the effects."

04/01/2020: ([muffled giggling] Shhh! Stop laughing Dani, this is important!) Junior Researcher Dr. Danielle Baker provoked a startle reaction from me by hiding under the desk and grabbing my leg as I was about to sit.⁷ SCP-XXXX almost immediately flinched upon the event, changing colour to a deep red. This confirms suspicions that the colour changes are affected by mood."

13/01/2020: "Testing was done to see if SCP-XXXX itself possesses emotions, or if it simply adapts to the ones of those around it. A pin was pressed into SCP-XXXX's base repeatedly. No visible reaction. SCP-XXXX was then exposed to a noise designed to cause a stress response in people. I wore ear defenders to avoid contaminating results. And again.. no reaction. The pin pricks healed within 2 minutes of creation."

28/01/2020: "SCP-XXXX has demonstrated its shapeshifting capabilities, when looking at pictures of other fungi, it was able to replicate them with extreme accuracy. When looking at an artist's conk, it was able to replicate the marking capabilities of the fungus. This effect only works with other mushrooms, however, as when shown any other object, it reverts to its original state."

08/02/2020: "SCP-XXXX appears to be showing demonstrations of thoughts I have not made obvious or said out loud. I was recently feeling slightly hungry, and SCP-XXXX began emitting a scent similar to that of fried food. Further testing is needed."

16/02/2020: "SCP-XXXX has ceased appearing in pictures. This effect seems to affect all forms of digital camera. It is unclear exactly when this effect started due to the fact SCP-XXXX is not routinely photographed. This may relate to my personal dislike of being photographed. Requests to access office security feed to find this exact moment have been requested."⁸

29/02/2020: "SCP-XXXX had a strong reaction to Dr. Danielle Baker. Upon entering the office, SCP-XXXX turned a hot pink colour, inching towards Baker whilst emitting a pleasant aroma, similar to that of roses. Upon checking, SCP-XXXX was warm to the touch. Reasons Unknown. I may speak to Dr. Baker and ask if she has had prior interactions with XXXX which may elicit this reaction."

12/03/2020: "SCP-XXXX was on the desk as I was taking notes. Another member of research personnel walked in and immediately, SCP-XXXX fell over to cover the notes. Reasons are unknown."⁹

20/03/2020: "I was speaking to my husband via my phone today, general conversation, nothing abnormal. SCP-XXXX fell over on the end call button. It is not apparent whether this was accidental or not."

01/04/2020: "At precisely 12:08pm Today, (my time of birth), SCP-XXXX turned grey and wrinkled. Reasons are unclear."

Update 02/04/2020: "After this event, I considered my own emotions and have realised I may be fearful of aging. This possibly confirms suspicions that SCP-XXXX is able to interpret subconscious thoughts."

02/05/2020: "SC… SCP… fuck it.
[Pause]
Danielle… N-no I'm not cry- upset… I need to go…[The recording ends here]”

Addendum XXXX-D [02/05/2020]:

CLICK HERE TO PROCEED

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Interviewed: [Dr. Mabel Zaretsky, Mycologist, Lead Researcher of SCP-XXXX.]

Interviewer: [Dr. Beverly Smith, Senior Psychiatrist at Site-95.]

Foreword: [Dr. Zaretsky requested aid from the psychiatric team. Due to the fact she has stated that it is in relation to SCP-XXXX, this session has been recorded as per Foundation protocol D962.4]

<Begin Log>

Dr. Smith : Hello… Mabel, is it? How are things?

Dr Zaretsky: [Zaretsky is visibly distressed.] Well… I'm getting divorced.

Dr. Smith: I'm sorry to hear that. Is there a particular reason? I believe you said SCP-XXXX is somehow involved in this.

Dr Zaretsky: [pause] Yes…

Dr. Smith : Why do you believe SCP-XXXX is responsible for the breakdown of your relationship?

Dr Zaretsky: [remains silent]

Dr. Smith: Mabel?

Dr Zaretsky: B-because… it made me realize I don't love him anymore. [Dr. Zaretsky begins to cry.]

[Smith offers Zaretsky a box of tissues.]

Dr. Smith: Take your time… can you elabor-

[Zaretsky cuts off Smith]

Dr Zaretsky: How the hell did it know before I did?!

Dr. Smith: Alright, Lets pause for a moment and take a deep breath…

[pause]

Now, start from the beginning, what happened to cause this incident?

Dr Zaretsky: It… It sounds stupid, but… It was a few days ago now. He… I was on the phone with my husband, and… The mushroom- SCP-XXXX I mean. It was on my desk and it looked like it was… Crying?

Dr. Smith: What do you mean when you say the mushroom was crying?

Dr Zaretsky: Well… have you ever seen a milkcap? It was acting like one of those, crying white latex. It was hunched over like a crying person when it did it.

Dr. Smith: Is that what caused you to figure out your feelings?

Dr Zaretsky: No, I just thought it was a bit weird. Its been mimicking me for weeks now, but I didn’t feel sad talking to my husband, so I didn’t understand why the mushroom was acting like that.

Dr. Smith: I understand. And what happened next?

Dr Zaretsky: Like… 30 minutes later I was on my computer, I was on some random website trying to learn more in depth stuff about the specific type of fungus XXXX likes to mimic… I left my computer literally for 10 seconds to get some more paper from my drawer.

[Zaretsky pauses]

Dr. Smith: I'm listening.

Dr Zaretsky: when I looked back up, XXXX had fallen on my mouse, making it hover over some ad on the page for a random divorce lawyer.

Dr. Smith: Okay, and, Mabel, is there any possibility this was accidental? Maybe SCP-XXXX just happened to fall over?

Dr Zaretsky: Trust me, I thought that too… so I clicked the ad.

Dr. Smith: and what was the reaction?

Dr Zaretsky: oh it was overjoyed, the damn thing. It went bright green, started glowing, and then it decided to release all these spores that kind of looked like little pieces of confetti. Who the fuck gets that happy over divorce??

Dr. Smith: I see. And, is that when you had that moment of realization?

Dr Zaretsky: pretty soon after that yeah…but after it got pointed out to me like that… it was so obvious that I felt that way.. is that ridiculous?

Dr. Smith: Not at all, Mabel. It sounds like you had subconscious thoughts about ending your relationship and SCP-XXXX simply revealed them. I'm sure this experience will be very helpful to your research in the long run.

[Pause]

I believe it'd be beneficial if we discussed your relationship now. I'd rather not record that for confidentiality reasons… so, are we finished talking about SCP-XXXX?

Dr Zaretsky: Yeah, all done… "A mushroom destroyed my marriage"…it kinda sounds like a headline you'd get in a tabloid, doesn’t it?

<End Log>

Closing Statement: Following this interview, Dr. Zaretsky has started a course of cognitive behavioural therapy to come to terms with her divorce. She has stated that although the experience distresses her, it has provided a much more in depth insight into SCP-XXXX's capabilities.

‡ Licensing / Citation

Footnotes

SCP Sandbox III

Sandbox III: Revenge of the Sandbox