SCP-17937: a beginner fountain pen

happy halloween again

Item #: SCP-17937

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-17937 is to be stored in a locked, opaque box when not undergoing active testing. Personnel who wish to engage with SCP-17937 for research purposes must pass background screening and undergo active monitoring for any interest in [DATA EXPUNGED].

Description: SCP-17937 is a parasitic organism that mimics the appearance of a “Safari”-model fountain pen manufactured by German stationery supplier LAMY. It is generally indistinguishable from a non-anomalous “Safari” and functions as a well-tuned, “beginner” fountain pen in its dormant state. SCP-17937 presents no danger when dormant.

SCP-17937 will enter its active state when a desirable human is within its range of attack, which is 1 2 4 8 meters. Humans targeted by SCP-17937 do not display any consistent biological traits, but all will have zero prior experience with fountain pens and a demonstrated interest in a similar hobby such as [DATA EXPUNGED].

Note: SCP-17937’s range has been growing, as well as the scope of who it targets—it almost got Dr. K████ after she started [DATA EXPUNGED], which had been previously thought to be safe. Until we know more, if you currently have or suspect an emerging interest in “cozy” or “wholesome” hobbies such as [DATA EXPUNGED], you are considered at-risk and will need to self-report for reassignment to another site. - Dr. S███████, Site Director

When active, SCP-17937 releases a pheromone that will create an irresistible urge in a targeted human to pick up and interact with SCP-17937. If the targeted human is unable to physically interact with SCP-17937 within 15 minutes of this event, it will return to its dormant state. If the targeted human does physically interact with SCP-17937 within 15 minutes of pheromone release, SCP-17937 will release a secondary payload that will be absorbed through the skin; human hosts infected in this way are designated as SCP-17937-A.

After initial infection, SCP-17937-A will feel intense, prolonged euphoria and enthusiasm that they will believe comes from the experience of writing with SCP-17937. This initial phase lasts one to three months.

After the end of the initial phase, SCP-17937-A will feel motivated to try and recapture these positive feelings by acquiring additional fountain pens. Any additional pens that come into physical contact with SCP-17937 will also become infected with SCP-17937, serving to both replicate SCP-17937 and strengthen SCP-17937’s aggregate effect on its host. All models and makes of fountain pens are susceptible to this secondary infection and are collectively designated SCP-17937-B.

Progressive levels of infection will see SCP-17937-A devoting more time and energy into propagating SCP-17937 through the purchasing of additional pens, joining in-person pen clubs, [DATA EXPUNGED], and attending pen shows. In very advanced stages, an instance of SCP-17937-A will start a pen review blog or video channel, though the vast majority of SCP-17937-A will succumb a Saturation Event before reaching this stage. Prior to a Saturation Event, SCP-17937-A will feel no discomfort as SCP-17937 reproduces throughout their body, believing that alterations to their personality and behavior are normal consequences of engaging in a new hobby.

A Saturation Event occurs when a sufficient amount of SCP-17937 exists in SCP-17937-A’s body to allow SCP-17937 to [DATA EXPUNGED]. This change is not noticeable to others. The number of SCP-17937-B an instance of SCP-17937-A must own in order to trigger a Saturation Event is [DATA EXPUNGED].

Addendum 17937.1: Entry redacted. Reading about related hobbies sparked interest in those hobbies, making personnel susceptible to SCP-17937.

Addendum 17937.2: Requesting additional budget for research. We barely got this thing contained the first time, and I think our hopes that the emergence of smartphones would neutralize this thing’s abilities were misguided—if anything, they’ve made people more susceptible to wanting to pick up SCP-17937 than ever. Whatever this thing is trying to do, it’ll have a much easier time pulling it off today than when we initially contained it and I’d like to put more effort into understanding what that might be. - Dr. S███████, Site Director

Request denied. - Overseer M████