SCP-4273

Item #: SCP-4273 Object Class: Safe Level 3 Clearance Threat Level: Green ●

Item #: SCP-4273

Special Containment Procedures: All SCP-4273 entities are to be contained within a standard botanical containment cell. Each entity is to remain isolated outside of testing purposes. Physical contact with the entities should be avoided as much as possible during routine maintenance. As of January 31, 2020, SCP-4273-1 is considered neutralized.

Description: SCP-4273 refers to a collection previously consisting of four instances of acer palmatum, a type of Japanese bonsai tree, designated SCP-4273-1 through SCP-4273-4. Each instance is capable of manipulating their physical form at will. This makes it impossible to determine a definite height, circumference or width of the instances. SCP-4273 is incapable of growing more than two meters in height, although whether the entities are this tall in their relaxed state is unknown.

SCP-4273 entities demonstrate a competent level of mimicry when observing human behaviour. They have been recorded mimicking the actions of personnel both when in the presence of personnel and via video surveillance when unobserved. The entities are sentient, although their sapience is questionable. Following Incident SCP-4273-1.1, testing in regards to the entities' intelligence has been postponed.

SCP-4273 instances have expressed concern in regards to self preservation, and the preservation of other plant life. They will not engage in activities that they perceive to be harmful to their well being or other plant life. In addition, they have demonstrated negative responses in relation to any perceived violence towards themselves or other plant life. Pejorative language directed toward the entities will also elicit a negative response. Barring these stimuli however, SCP-4273 entities are generally docile when handled individually.

[+] Note from Researcher Raynes [-] Close Note Upon further research into the entities, we have discovered that they respond negatively to tone rather than actual harsh language. They're like pets that way, if you can consider them as such. We've separated the entities within their cells on Janurary 3rd at Dr. Allegre's request but not without complications. Junior Researcher Langley lost an eye when he moved one of the entities away from the rest, Junior Researcher Bratton nearly got strangled to death assisting him. They've also begun to demonstrate increasingly aggressive behaviour in the presence of Dr. Allegre. She put in a formal reassignment request on the twelfth, which is currently under review. Three injured and two crippled staff later, we managed to isolate them from one another. These things are dangerous, despite all appearances. Please be careful when handling them. -Researcher Raynes

SCP-4273 entities possess the ability to communicate via alterations to their anatomy. They express emotion primarily by altering the pigmentation of their leaves. These changes are often accompanied by the restructuring of the trunk, re-positioning of branches and growth of additional roots. Any alterations performed by an SCP-4273 entity are preceded by a series of disturbances in the soil that contains the entity. The amount of soil displaced correlates directly to the scale of alteration. Any branches or roots grown in this method will reassimilate into the main body of the SCP-4273 instance within one hour.

Experiment SCP-4273-1.1

● Play Video Recording ○Stop Recording The following is a video recording of Experiment SCP-4273.1. VIDEO LOG DATE: January 1, 2020 NOTE: N/A [BEGIN LOG] 1200: Dr. Allegre enters SCP-4273's containment cell and attempts to remove SCP-4273-1 from its podium. The other SCP-4273 entities grow several dozen branches as their leaves change into a brilliant shade of red. 1201: SCP-4273-2, -3 and -4 restrain Dr. Allegre completely. Although visibly distressed, the doctor does not call for help and attempts to remain calm. 1206: Dr. Allegre is released by the entities and apologizes sincerely to them. She then proceeds to exit the containment cell. [END LOG]

[+] From Dr. Allegre [-] Hide So we know now that they're protective of one another. Viciously. We have to separate them first before we can experiment further with them. ~Dr. Allegre

Experiment SCP-4273-1.2

● Play Video Recording ○ Stop Recording The following is a recording of Experiment SCP-4273.2. VIDEO LOG DATE: January 8, 2020 NOTE: N/A [BEGIN LOG] 1436: Dr. Allegre enters SCP-4273-1's containment cell and removes the entity from its podium. 1437: SCP-4273-1 grows several additional branches and clutches Dr. Allegre's arm. 1438 Dr. Allegre strokes the entity gently and whispers something that induces a calming effect. The entity reassimilates its branches and returns to a relaxed state. 1450: Dr. Allegre activates the visual display monitor present within the cell and tunes into a live broadcast of the ongoing fire in Australia. 1451: SCP-4273-1 sheds all of its leaves and grows twenty three additional roots to turn itself away from the television. Dr. Allegre then deactivates the visual display monitor and soothes the entity by gently stroking its trunk. 1503: Entity returns to a semi-relaxed state. The few leaves that have grown back are yellow. Dr. Allegre attempts to carry the entity back to its podium, but the entity flinches away from her. She slowly approaches SCP-4273-1 again, and returns it to the podium. 1505: Dr. Allegre proceeds to water the entity with the provided pail. No observable physical change occurs within SCP-4273-1. [END LOG]

[+] Note from Dr. Allegre [-] Hide I wonder if they can discern between reality and the television screen. Perhaps they're afraid of being hurt themselves, that could prove sapience if we test further. I'll ask the site manager for a pair of shears. ~Dr. Allegre

Experiment SCP-4273-2.1

● Play Video Recording ○ Stop Recording VIDEO LOG DATE: January 14, 2020 NOTE: N/A [BEGIN LOG] 1312: Dr. Allegre enters SCP-4273-2's containment cell and proceeds to water the entity with the provided pail. 1313: SCP-4273-2 sprouts two additional branches and wraps them around Dr. Allegre's torso in an embrace. Dr. Allegre mimicks the gesture. 1315: Dr. Allegre retrieves a generic checkerboard from her briefcase and sets up a game of chess. 1318: Dr. Allegre moves the pawn in position C2 to C4. SCP-4273-2 moves the pawn in position C7 to C5. 1319: Dr. Allegre moves the knight in position B2 to A3. SCP-4273 moves the knight in position in position B8 to A6. 1330: After several minutes, Dr. Allegre and SCP-4273 reach a stalemate. Dr. Allegre sighs and smiles at the entity. The entity's leaves turn a bright shade of green. 1332: Dr. Allegre begins to return the checkerboard and chess pieces to her briefcase. SCP-4273-2 grows an additional branch and removes the black queen before Dr. Allegre can grab it. 1333: Dr. Allegre holds out her hand, although the entity does not return the piece. 1340: Dr. Allegre returns the remainder of the items to her briefcase. SCP-4273-2 has buried within the soil it sits in. 1341: Dr. Allegre exits the containment cell. Scp-4273-2 removes the queen from its soil and examines it. 1350: SCP-4273-2 moves the queen as it did during the chess game. 1410: SCP-4273-2 places the queen against its trunk. 1413: The additional branches grown by SCP-4273-2 recede and the entity ceases activity. [END LOG]

Incident SCP-4273-1.1