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“Hmmph…” Dr. Bright grumbled, staring through the one-way glass at SCP-239, who was having a conversation with Dr. Glass. Simon had spearheaded an initiative which demanded that all humanoid and sentient SCPs be provided with bi-monthly therapy sessions. The ethics committee had petitioned it, and surprisingly, most of the site 19 staff agreed. 05 decided they would try it for a month, and if it worked, they would continue.
Jack had agreed to it as well, not registering that he himself was a humanoid, sentient SCP. So far, he had avoided having a session with Simon, but now he had one scheduled after his shift. He really didn’t want to do this. He didn’t need anyone else knowing about the accursed inner machinations of his mind. Hell, HE could barely handle it, how could someone as innocent and kind as Dr. Glass understand?
He shook his head, clearing his mind of worries for the time being. Glancing back up, through the glass, he noticed Dr. Glass showing 239 an image of his pet cat. With a sudden pop, the cat appeared in the containment unit. Jack blinked, reaching for the intercom button, but stopping himself. The girl looked so happy to be petting the little cat, and Simon was grinning, proud of himself. Jack sighed, feeling a small smile slip into his face. Maybe he could just let her have this moment. Plus, Dr. Glass just looked so damn cute when he smiled like that-
“Dr. Bright?”
Jack nearly jumped out of his skin, whipping around to find Dr. Iceberg, looking at him like he was a piece of dog shit he had stepped in.
“Jesus, you scared me. What is it?”
Julian raised his eyebrows. “You…You seriously forgot?” he asked, seemingly baffled.
“Forgot? About…?”
“Holy shit, you really did. Were you too busy making goo-goo eyes at Glassy? You gotta switch bodies today.” Julian put his hands on his hips, like a mother scolding her son.
Dr. Bright let out an indignant squeak, standing up. “Wha- making ‘goo-goo eyes’? I was just-“ He realized how upset he was getting, and slapped a smile right back onto his face. “Julie, you know for a fact that I am in at least eight committed relationships at the moment. I’m wounded that you would think of me so lowly!”
He frowned pathetically, feigning hurt. Before Dr. Iceberg could reply with a witty response of his own, there was a beep, and the cell door opened.
Simon stepped out, waving to 239. “I’ll see you in two weeks, Sigurrós! Have fun with Spot.” He shut the door and scanned his card to lock it, letting out a contented sigh and sitting down in the office chair. He looked between Iceberg and Bright, tilting his head.
“What’s going on?”
Jack turned to him, praying to 343 that the blush he could feel across his cheeks wasn’t visible. He had a reputation to keep up.
“Ah, Julie wants-”
“I’ve told you not to call me that-“
“-me to go get a better meatsuit.”
Iceberg raised his eyebrows once again. “It’s not ME who wants you to get one. 05’s gonna fire you if you don’t”
Jack chuckled. “Yeah, fire me. I don’t think they can. You know i’m too valuable where I am. Just like you.” He threw his satchel over his shoulder, watching Iceberg’s hands squeeze into fists.
“You’re lucky I haven’t reported you for harassment yet, fuckface.”
Julian grumbled. Jack just laughed. “Mhm. Love you too, Elsa.”
Dr. Bright shut the door in just enough time to avoid a metal clipboard from smacking him in the head. The smile dropped from his face, replaced by a tired, jaded expression of worry. His happy-go-lucky nature had begun to fade over his 80-something years with the foundation. When he had first been cursed with his immortality, he had been so excited by the fact that he couldn’t die that he became incredibly reckless. He had built up a reputation for being loud and outgoing, but that was getting tiring. He couldn’t give up the façade. If he did, the entire foundation would know how he felt. He would probably be discharged, for his mental state. Then what would he do? He would out of a job, unable to die, with no family. What would-
“oof-“ Jack grunted as he ran straight into Dr. Gears. The stoic man didn’t move, but Jack fell to the ground. He quickly picked up his papers, murmuring apologies.
“Ah, Sorry Cogsy. Didn’t mean to-“
Charles held out a hand to help him up. “Are you not supposed to be in the D-class barracks to pick your new vessel?”
Jack nodded. “Uh, Yeah, I just got off track. Goin’ there now.” Before Gears could respond, he flew off through a door to the D-Class barracks.
Kondraki was waiting for him, leaning against the wall and speaking softly to one of his butterflies. When he noticed Bright, he shook them away, standing up straight. “Hey. Everyone’s lined up in there.” he pointed to the end of the hallway, where two guards stood outside a door. Jack thanked him and walked to the guards. They checked his security card and opened the door, shutting and locking the door behind him.
Jack took a deep breath, looking over the D-class that was assembled. There were ten or so, all male and caucasian, with red hair. Recently, Dr. Bright had begun asking for all D-class that fit this description. In all honesty, he was searching desperately for someone who looked like he had, when he had been cursed. He surveyed the options, asking those who were too tall or short to step back, then those who were too young or old. He was left with three options, D-18369, D-85485, and D-97005.
In the end, he chose D-85485. He would need to give him a bit of a shave, and his glasses would need to be fake, but other than that, he was close enough.
Jack explained that he would hand him the necklace, and instruct him what to do afterwards. The D-class nodded, looking quite spooked. Slowly, Jack took off the amulet, gazing at it with contempt. He wanted to throw it at the wall and shatter it into a million pieces, but he knew it wouldn’t work. One last time, he looked over the body he currently inhabited. Maybe this time, he could look in the mirror without wanting to vomit. But no, that wouldn’t be the case. It never had been before, why would it now?
With a sigh, Bright took off the necklace and held it out. “Thank you.” He murmured, just as the D-class took the amulet and the all-too-familiar feeling of momentary death consumed him.