#orderly pathologic

[nyxx-nth]

Meme dump of ones that didn't feel like they deserved their own posts LMAO (mostly ones i was indecisive about tbh–)

[jazzmen4ik]

I finished the figure. It was difficult...

[cakedpie-pathologic]

The. Guys

[dislocated-thumbs]

shoutout to this haruspex route block interaction .i played this like entire game in total Gamer silence but this broke me actually

[hazyaltcare]

A dark and grungy moodboard with medical things for a noncanon Orderly/Executor (Pathologic) kin.

Mod Vintage (🌡️)

[am-i-interrupting]

How Autism Effects Them

For Me. Hi, I’m autistic and I write these specific characters with autism in mind. Here’s how it effects my writing of them.

Alastor

Alastor is a sensory avoidant autistic with the PDA profile.

He avoids touch unless specifically initiated by him or someone he trusts.

He cannot stand any type of soft touch and is much more receptive to strong grips.

Part of the reason he employed Niffty is because of her obsessive cleaning and his need for things to be orderly but lack of willpower or energy to clean.

He has a specific way of organizing things and Niffty quickly caught on and adopted those same values.

He avoids going certain places due to sounds which may occur. Specifically retaining to music.

He enjoys Jazz, swing, classical, and blues. That is it.

Being sensory avoidant, does not mean, however, that he never seeks sensory stimulation. It is just something he does not do often.

One of the biggest ways he seeks some sort of new experience, sensory or emotion wise, is actually through his planned chaos like with the Hotel. A situation he has some control over and sway in how it goes.

The main stimulation he will look for is the feeling of blood between his teeth and fingers or the best of his favorite songs. Though, he also enjoys the smells and tastes of various spices.

(Personally, I am of the belief that dancing is a stim that he participates in because it’s socially acceptable.)

He is very in touch with his needs and what his body communicates to him even if he doesn’t always have words to describe them.

The PDA profile of autism is known as Pathological Demand Avoidance or, preferred by many PDA-era, Persistent Drive for Autonomy. This often shows up as feeling like anything perceived as a demand is a threat and reacting accordingly.

This results in despite him knowing what his body needs, he refuses to give in to it.

How dare his body tell him to sleep, he is in the middle of very important things that he does not want to stop doing and will stay up even longer to spite his body.

How dare Charlie and Vaggie insist he use video when his radio station is perfectly available, he will mess it up out of spite.

His special interests are actually radio and body anatomy. This fueled both his career choices.

Lucifer

Lucifer is a depressed, anxiety ridden AuDHD king.

He hyperfixates on his projects and forgets to eat, drink, even go to the bathroom.

He struggles with keeping relationships.

You send him a message, he forgets to reply, remembers to reply two weeks later, spends another week debating whether or not it’s too late to reply before finally replying or just starting a new conversation.

He is easily overwhelmed in social situations and cannot maintain multiple conversations at once.

He will fixate on one person and only reply to them.

Just barges in on conversations and chimes in when initiated at inappropriate times.

He bounces between needing complete silence, a specific noise, or an amount of noise that would overwhelm others constantly.

Vaggie

Vaggie is an autistic who has alexthymia.

She’s very monotoned and doesn’t know how to express her emotions because frankly, she doesn’t always know what they are.

It’s like there’s some disconnect between her thoughts and her body.

She’s not very good at articulating what she feels or connecting what her body is experiencing to her emotions.

She actually has a journal filled with bodily descriptions and how they connect to what she thinks she should be feeling. It helps her describe them to you better.

She doesn’t just have a disconnect with her feelings but her body as a whole.

She does not process things that should be painful as painful.

Her brain doesn’t always compute what signals her body is giving her so she can often forget to eat, drink, go to the bathroom, sleep.

She has certain rituals she does in order to try to connect better with her body and understand what it needs.

Every morning while she’s getting ready, she needs complete silence so she can connect.

She goes through the motions of brushing her hair and takes note of how it feels before and after. She does the same with brushing her teeth.

A couple times every day, she just has to stop everything, find a quiet place, and try to understand what her body is telling her.

Vox

Vox has the PDA profile of autism, is sensory seeking, and has OCD-like tendencies.

See Alastor, point 13 for definition of PDA.

His PDA comes up in a much more controlling way than Alastor’s. Or at least obviously controlling.

He needs everything to go a specific way and gets very disregulated when it doesn’t.

I feel like this also makes his RSD (rejection sensitivity dysphoria) worse.

Not only does he have the disappointment and feeling of failure when he is rejected or dismissed but he also has the emotional disregulation of his PDA which makes him feel like he’s been threatened and in danger to deal with on top of this.

His PDA often results in his use of manipulation and hypnosis over the general populace to ensure a favorable outcome for him.

If he is told to do something and there’s no way out of doing it, he will coerce the situation into something that at least feels like he has control over it.

However, if he does have a way out of it. He simply won’t do it or will purposefully do it wrong.

If you ask him to do something that he was already doing, he will walk away and come back to do it later when you’re gone.

His sensory seeking behavior is often like how we were introduced to him, plugging himself into his systems and being bombarded with the sounds of people.

He does this to regulate.

It’s cathartic to him in the same way blasting loud music when you’re upset is.

His main source of stimulation is through noise and sight.

He finds things like bright lights a calming thing as well.

He is a bit sensory avoidant though but it shows up very differently to Alastor’s.

It shows up in the form of constant cleanliness, yes, but Alastor finds cleanliness soft, unstained rugs and polished wooden desks whereas Vox finds it in a much more modern style.

Counters that don’t have a single finger print on them. Floors that are tile and shining, always looking freshly waxed.

Alastor’s version of clean is warm and homely. Vox’s version of clean is cold and slick.

This also plays into his OCD-like tendencies.

For Alastor it’s an annoyance when these things get out of place. For Vox it’ll ruin his entire day and he has to rearrange his schedule in order to fix it.

Another sensory experience he avoids would be strong smells. He cannot cope with them as they overwhelm him, along with taste.

His part of the tower is very pristine and actually very cold temperature wise not only because he enjoys colder temperatures but they also prevent him from overheating when he’s upset or just feeling strong emotions.

Going to the other parts of the tower are not something he enjoys.

Velvette’s normally smells of strong perfumes and Valentino’s smells of a combination of perfume and sex.

[aklitayl]

Because many people kept asking about the photo, I decided to do the post about Ice-pick Lodge and Pathologic on KRI-2005

Ice-pick Lodge (Nikolai Dybowski, Petr Potapov, Airat Zakirov, etc.) went on the KRI-2005 (Game Devs conference) to give presentation about first Pathologic game.

Here are some photos, and the info from their site will be under the cut:

! All following info are from their site. Nothing is changed.

The day before March 31, 2005.

Due to the most recent events, we are severely short on human resources.

After spending four and a half hours gathering the most necessary medical tools and supplies, we piled into an ambulance and set off. A crucial task lay ahead: to select a suitable location for the secret anti-infectious laboratory.

The famous doctor-epidemiologist, doctor of medical sciences, professor of the department of lethal fevers of the state medical school Pestitsky Innokenty Savvovich comprehensively studied the epidemiological situation in the city. Having thoroughly considered all possible options, the professor opted for the famous hotel "Cosmos".

Honorable Innokenty Savvovich confirmed that in the next three days the presence of leading epidemiologists, sanitarians and attending physicians was necessary here.

As usual, equipment, service personnel and specialists (including Innokenty Savvovich himself) were brought to the meeting place through the basement. In the same way, shortly before, materials were obtained from a certain studio Ice-pick Lodge, which, according to rumors, is engaged in the development of computer games.

The location of the secret laboratory was marked with portraits of the protagonists of the simulator of human behavior in an extreme situation. The simulator was given a catchy, spectacular name - "Pathologic (Mor. Utopia)". Unusual, and on the ear.

We were not alone in the basement. We watched a strict bearded man in a yellow T-shirt carrying tanks with kvass past the future laboratory. We decided to be sure to inspect it for symptoms of Febris sebulosae infestation.

The production of kvass requires water, and most local sources, according to Professor Pestitsky, are in critical proximity to the burial fields of the results of last year's experiments of the laboratory.

Tomorrow, don't forget - ampoules for injections, sedatives, bandages, and spare shirts just in case.

Day 1 01.04.2005.

10:00

The situation is critical. There's a whole exhibition here. Dr. Pestitsky suspects that the territory of the neighboring stand (and maybe the whole complex) is hopelessly contaminated! We are conducting research: we have taken samples of air and water from local sources.

We are waiting for the results of the analysis. The professor's appointment is scheduled for 12:00.

It is surprising that potential patients themselves turn to the professor. Instead of the usual search and forced delivery of patients in need of examination, our orderlies have to guard the territory of the laboratory from unauthorized entry.

11:00

The results of air and water samples show the undoubted presence of the virus (in our laboratory it is called Febris sebullosa).

It is necessary to conduct a general inspection and comprehensive examination of visitors to detect symptoms of infection.

It was decided to declare a quarantine.

The decision to completely sanitize the premises, according to the expert committee of epidemiologists, is premature, but is not ruled out.

12:00

The examination of visitors has begun. The professor and the nurse are working in protective suits, masks and gloves.

At the same time they started the presentation of the simulator of human behavior in the situation of epidemic "Pathologic (Mor. Utopia)".

Detailed familiarization with the simulator will surely increase the chances of survival for the simulants.

Strange behavior of examinees is alarming: up to 90% of patients ask questions about minimum system requirements and number of polygons. Probably, the consequences of inflammatory processes of the left cerebral hemisphere and hypothalamus are affecting.

The system (drip)is placed intravenously in the patient for immediate and complete entry of medical drugs into the bloodstream. No minimum requirements are imposed on the patient. Test sites were used by the lab last year, but their location is highly classified.

17:00

By the end of the first day of the lab, 45 visitors have been examined.

The results of the examination are delivered to the central laboratory for detailed analysis.

Day 2 02.04.2005.

10:00

All night long we analyzed the results. By morning a summary report was compiled:

45 visitors (40 men and 5 women) were examined for symptoms of Febris Sabulosa (later FS).

BP elevation up to 140/90 mmHg was registered in 12 people, up to 180/105 mmHg. - у 7. Venous filling up to 100% was registered only in 28 subjects, the average filling was 83%. Pupillary reaction is adequate in 95% of subjects: pupils constricted at direct exposure to light reflected by frontal reflector.

The classification of preuremic stages of chronic renal failure (CRF) with additional determination of proteinuria degree was used. Judging by the reaction to the test drugs taken orally by the visitors, the CPN syndrome was not detected in any of the examined patients.

Dynamics of laboratory tests revealed that in 6 patients the stage of FS compensation passed to the latent stage. Alarming signal. We proceeded to the choice of optimal medical preparations for prevention and treatment of the consequences of FS infection.

Prof. Pestitsky is inclined to the choice of drugs of mixed type of immune response (Th1/Th2).

The rationale for choosing immunocorrectors of this type is their ability to correct internal hemodynamics, stabilize the rate of glomerular filtration, and reduce FS activity. Analyzing the literature data, we can conclude that the following drugs meet these requirements:

(drugs description )

12:00

We continue to examine visitors. All those examined receive a certificate with the results of the examination, signed by the medical staff of the field laboratory, the certificate is stamped.

Subjects are easy to contact, but the introduction of quarantine has affected their number. The age bar has risen sharply. Yesterday minors prevailed among the patients, today are much less.

14:00

Some of the visitors have mutation effects. This may be due to the close proximity of the GSC booth, as our examination did not reveal any symptoms of FS infection in these visitors.

Immediate hospitalization is recommended for several patients. It is necessary to make sure that they do not disregard Innokenty Savvovich's advice - those who refuse will have to be forcibly loaded into the carriage.

It's good to know that the secret laboratory is very well shielded.

We are not taken for what we really are.

16:00

We're continuing to examine the visitors. All patients are taking the medications prescribed by Professor Pestitsky.

The chief physician has left the laboratory area and has come into contact with extremely suspicious, probably unwell individuals.

They ask not to stand on their roof - in such cases immediate hospitalization is recommended.

Forcibly loading the patients into an ambulance was not possible: we were beaten to it. I wonder who carried out mass hospitalization using buses?

To clarify this issue, we followed the buses, observing the rules of covert surveillance. The buses unloaded the potential simulants at the club "Slava"

The choice of location is not random. A healthy person would not go to such a place, a sane person would lack either money or determination. But by taking the Hippocratic Oath, we have condemned ourselves to spend 90% of our time with people who are not quite healthy. Do no harm!

Tomorrow, don't forget: silent shoes with soft rubber soles.

Day 3 03.04.2005

10:00

There is a high probability that FS is a lethal virus.

11:00

Examined a man in a yellow T-shirt. Strangely, no suspicious symptoms were found. Still recommended him to support the body's immune system with vitamins, as well as to familiarize with the simulation of human behavior in an extreme situation "Pathologic (Mor. Utopia)". The patient refused gently but resolutely.

12:00

A large number of potential infected people gathered at the booth. In order to prevent mass contamination, the Chief Medical Officer gave a presentation of the simulator.

Taking the opportunity, the medical staff of the booth unobtrusively examined the visitors.

12:30

Visitor Andrei Kuzmin broke away from the group of those examined and stayed for a closer look at the simulator. He refused a comprehensive medical examination.

The level of high-frequency vibrations of his brain waves put the nurse in a trance state for a while. The Chief Laboratory Physician explained to Mr. Kuzmin the operation of the simulator in detail. It is necessary to examine the Chief Physician - none of us are familiar with such details.

14:00

Mr. Malik Khatajaev, a visitor of the stand, refused to make a comprehensive examination.

However, he promised to send his colleague Mr. Pyotr Prokhorenko for examination. Mr. Khatajaev argued that if Prokhorenko showed symptoms of FS, all other employees of the Lesta studio would also be hopelessly infected.

15:00

An unidentified infected person in a coma was found by our paramedics at Buka's booth and brought in. The patient could not be saved.

The time of death was recorded and the body was sent for pathologic examination. Autopsy results confirmed that death was due to FS infection. The fact that the FS virus leaves non-living cells instantly is extremely important.

15:30

Possibility of fatalities from FS infection has been announced. Asking people to leave the booth area.

Examine visitors who were too close to the infected person at the time of death. Patients have no instinct for self-preservation. I wonder if this is the result of inflammation.

A detailed study and analysis of the collected material will probably qualify us for the Küfner Prize.

16:00

The mental state of the Chief Medical Officer of the laboratory is of serious concern to Prof. Pestitsky. Today the Chief spoke about the primitive methods of developing simulators of human behavior and the possible direction of their development.

Probably, stress, mental overload of the last days, contacts with infected people and unexpectedly serious attitude to the question of rabbit breeding are affecting him. He seems to really consider himself a computer game developer by now.

17:00

Paramedics found Mr. Prokhorenko in a coma. All symptoms were identical to the previous case. At their own risk, the paramedics took Mr. Prokhorenko to the field laboratory. The measures taken by the medical personnel allowed Mr. Prokhorenko to be resuscitated and partially brought out of the coma.

This fact suggests the possibility of overcoming the consequences of infection by activating the latent intellectual potential of the patient.

17:15

Lesta Studios employees have been recommended to undergo a comprehensive examination. The inhabitants of the neighboring orange booth are also recommended to be examined. They are clearly in a stage of extreme emotional agitation.

Also disturbing is the fact that they are interested in breeding rabbits (when discussing this issue on their faces appears an extremely spiritualized expression).

People with the letters DTF around their necks cannot but surprise: it seems that they acted as volunteers of our laboratory all three days, taking measures to reduce the number of visitors (especially middle school age) and solving organizational issues.

A commendable enthusiasm worthy of full encouragement.

18:00

A simulation of human behavior in an extreme situation was recognized as one of the most out-of-the-box preventive measures to combat epidemics.

Link on Dybowski's Lecture:

https://youtu.be/LbQpCmLELco?si=3hIRJoLp3qGPh6Iq

[mikr15432]

Just Pathologic doodles today

(I don't know, why there is an orderly instead of Burakh here...)

[catcado]

Vera, oh Vera, I know of you this: hou've been reading House of leaves by mark z. Danielewski whike thinking about pathologic non stop!! Will you agree to touch me? To brave the depths? To answer my questions candidly and without prejudice? Will you give me your candy?

awwww this is so adorable. here. have some maoams. i think ud enjoy them cla-- orderly :3

[shmowder]

Pathologic play where the tragedians slowly fall into love with the player. Not the healer you're controlling, but the player behind the screen.

It starts with small things like reflections giving you more information than normal. You don't think much of it. Pathologic is known for its secret dialogue options at times.

Then you noticed the supposed tutorial tragedians on the street aren't exactly leaving despite progressing through the game. Instead, you can talk to them each day and receive useful information, a valuable item, or straight-up food.

How much more of a constant they've become in your quests, taking it upon themselves to lead you to place, point you towards the fastest route and even slow down time for you when you're not looking.

Only that if you do follow his advice, you notice the executioners following in your steps the next playthrough around. Unlike the tragedians, the townsfolk can see them. Your character keeps getting questioned by others on why are orderlies follow you around so much?

They keep messing with the play, and it's making Mark Immortell clearly frustrated with the mutiny and how you're clearly a bad influence on them. During one scene in the theatre, he suggests starting over so his actors may hopefully regain their senses and stop acting like your fanclub.

Maybe they find it funny courtesy to the bird mask, but they keep leaving you nuts, marbles and other valuable trading items. They blatantly cure you of the plague that one time you couldn't outrun a certain cloud, they give you immunity pills and antibiotics the more you pay them attention and indulge their fawning.

The game practically becomes a cakewalk at this point, and no amount of resetting is fixing it.

If anything, they're more like a harmless crowd of adoring fans that watch you play and cheer from the side whenever you do something cool, fawning at your every action, asking more and more personal questions to get to know you.

Both groups keep watching over you, not so subtly behind Mark's back. Letting you slip away from some dangers for simply smiling their way, throw in a wink, and there is nothing you can't get away with.

Adoring you from the backlines, dropping some bullets and a gun in a building's ground floor furniture just when you're desperate looking for loot.

A bunch of them hanging out at your permanent lair, keeping your storage sorted and just having fun being silly around the place. Some of the tragedians try to make you laugh, and others attempt to impress you with their acrobatics.

While the birdies are surprisingly more coy with their infatuation. They still attempt to play their correct roles, especially the plague executioner. But the second you pick a mean dialogue option to them, their dialogue changes and stutters, visibly deflating in sadness as they mumble the rest of their lines. Staring at you through their intimidating apathetic bird mask like a kicked puppy, wanting your approval but also wanting to be a good actor.

A lot of the more extreme shocking scenes are skipped because they feel too bad to be that mean to you. You don't get death taunting you in the marbles nest, nor does the plegue insult you in the haruspex's route each time you make progress.

Actually- it's the other way around. The plague is congrating you on your progress with a gushing fan tone, saying how they knew you were such a good job for this and they can't believe they get to act with such a talent as yourself—Hey actually do you think you can sign their mask? Oh the others would be so jealous if they knew.

[astrosouldivinity]

Astrological placements in a natal chart that may indicate OCD or Anxiety

+ Autism/ADHD

Part 1: 

⚠️ Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that these placements indicate AuDHD, anxiety, or OCD. However, individuals with these placements may be more prone to certain behaviors associated with these disorders. Astrology can be a useful tool for observing subconscious patterns and can aid in shadow work. Keep in mind that these insights may not apply to everyone, so take what resonates and leave what doesn’t.

6H Stellium- They might exhibit OCD tendencies related to their perfectionistic nature, needing things to be exact and orderly. Changes in routine can be particularly challenging, especially if they have established a routine that feels right to them. This placement gives off neurodivergent vibes, as they require some level of structure or routine to feel safe and secure.

Mercury Aspects: If negatively aspected, these individuals may struggle to communicate their innermost thoughts. Their expressions can become muddled, making it challenging for others to understand them.

Mercury Square Venus: This relates to Mercury aspects, but I wanted to delve deeper into this specific placement. Individuals may feel awkward in social settings and struggle to connect with others. They might say the wrong thing or unintentionally make someone feel uncomfortable, but it’s never intentional.

Virgo Anything: This relates to OCD concerning their physical environment. I didn’t specify any particular Virgo placements because, in my observation, the placement itself doesn’t significantly impact these behaviors. As an earth sign, Virgos are generally grounded, but being ruled by Mercury and classified as a mutable earth sign affects their stability levels. They need their surroundings to be perfect and to make sense to them mentally, which can lead to controlling tendencies. They often exude restless, anxious energy similar to Gemini. Additionally, they are sensitive and tend to feel emotions in their gut, as Virgo is associated with the abdomen. Digestive issues are a common symptom among autistic individuals.

Libra Sun/Moon/Mars/Mercury: They are likely to have a strong sense of justice, which is common among people with autism. However, as an air sign, this can make it more challenging for them to stay grounded. They pick up on various frequencies, enhancing their intuition. Additionally, they may exhibit pattern recognition, another trait associated with autism. They tend to weigh their options and consider different perspectives before making decisions, but this can lead to indecisiveness. They value their freedom highly, which aligns with traits of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

Gemini Anything: I didn’t put any specific Gemini placements because I’ve observed that the placement truly doesn’t matter when it comes to these behaviors. Their minds tend to be scattered, and they often feel restless and anxious. It can be challenging for them to stay still for prolonged periods, as they require a lot of mental stimulation; otherwise, they become bored. While they are good at retaining information and often have excellent memories, they can also be forgetful. They may recall intricate details about their special interests, but their memory for other topics can be hit or miss.

~Part 2~

[my-own-walker]

Hi! Please could you write an angst about reader taking care of Kit Walker after a caning punishment? Thank you v much!

I'm Always Gonna Be Where You Are

note: i think i've used this gif before...idk tho. thanks 4 tha request!

warnings: angst, mentions of death, violence

+++

637 days in.

I was beginning to think I would spend more days in than I had out. Before I was brought in. Before my whole life was thrown away. Before I became an ornament on the asylum's cold stone walls.

I found solace in the people around me. The people who understood. One Kit Walker stood out as someone I could say anything to. I would have done anything for him. I would have walked backward off a cliff while blindfolded for him if he asked.

He was, similarly to me, wrongfully locked in Briarcliff for a misunderstanding. I was thoroughly convinced of his innocence. And I knew for a fact that even if he did do it, and was a narcissistic manipulator and pathological liar, I'd still love him.

I never told him, though, 637 days into my stay, I still hadn't told him. 637 days into my imprisonment, I found out my mother died. 637 days in, the person who had wrongfully locked me in, the only person who could get me out, my only family, was dead.

The news came abruptly from Sister Jude. A nonchalant delivery of the most devastating news I had ever heard. An addendum to the barking of orders.

'LIGHTS OUT! Oh, and your mother's dead.'

An exaggeration of events, for sure. Nonetheless, it felt just as cruel. Soulless. I was subhuman to the individuals that ran the place.

On day 638, I met Kit in the common room in the morning, collapsing into a quiet fit of sobs in his arms. Any louder, and I would have been restrained and sedated. I wasn't mourning my mother. I was mourning my freedom. The prospect of my release.

Kit held me close, sitting next to me on one of the many sofas in the room. The upholstered fabric scratched into my arm any time I brushed against it. Another reminder that comfort was not a right, but a luxury here.

He just held me as I cried.

'I will get us out of here,' Kit muttered into my ear. 'Whatever it takes.'

His optimism and drive were two of the reasons I kept him so close. He possessed two things I had lost very early on in my institutionalization.

The couch shifted in pressure. Someone had sat on the other side of me. I didn't even care to look up.

'Not now, Spivey,' Kit gritted.

'We could go halfsies on hah,' Spivey taunted. 'She's quite a doll.'

'Don't be fucking disgusting,' Kit muttered.

I lifted my head from its cozy spot nestled in Kit's chest and grimaced as I felt just how close Spivey was sitting next to me. To my abject horror, I watched as the man unbuttoned his pants and began to reach his hand inside.

It all happened so fast. Kit sprang from my side and grabbed Spivey by his collar, bringing him to his feet pathetically. The pervert's hand was still in his pants when Kit slammed him back down to the ground. A sickening thud cracked through the space. Silence filled the room, then the sounds of the other patients getting rowdy. Two orderlies dressed in white rushed onto the scene, restraining Kit and administering a dose of something via syringe into his arm. He was dragged away without a struggle into the hallway.

I didn't even have time to react in the slightest. I sat perched on the edge of the sofa Kit and I had shared just minutes ago, staring at the door Kit just disappeared through, tears threatening to fall once again. I sat there numbly for the rest of common room time.

When they ushered us back to our rooms, or cells, more like, my eyes darted around to find the boy who came to my rescue twice in one day. Moving through the front lobby toward the cells, I looked up the stairs toward Sister Jude's office. I watched as Kit was shoved out of the door, bound by his hands, a look of anguish on his face. His punishment was through, and it was all for me.

+

I laid awake, my soul wracked with guilt after lights-out. I couldn't bear thinking about the pain Kit must have been in. All because of me.

Briarcliff was a funny place. It was old. There were tons of ways around the run-down, disgusting corridors. One funny thing I found was a way to get out of the rooms. As long as you weren't restrained, a simple clothes hanger, hairpin, or matchstick could be enough to unlock the door from the inside.

Unlatching the lock, I was careful to not make any revealing sounds that would indicate my escape. I tiptoed carefully through the halls toward Kit's room. This was a routine of ours. I would regularly meet him in his cell after hours.

I peered through the window in his door. He was lying on his side on his bed, hands still bound behind him. I couldn't see his face to make out his expression. The bed's blankets weren't even covering him.

'Kit!' I whisper-yelled. His head shifted slightly.

'Y/N?' he groaned.

'I'm gonna come in, is that okay?' I replied.

'I've never wanted you here more.'

I jimmied the lock and opened the door slowly. It closed behind me with a tiny click. His hands twitched slightly as I worked to remove the straps keeping them together. He had leather burns on his wrists. His hands were cold from lack of circulation. As soon as I broke them free and Kit was turned to lay on his back, I held them close to my chest to warm them up.

Kit's face contorted in pain. He shifted uncomfortably in his bed. Being on his back caused him pain. I silently kicked myself for not remembering the punishment he was dealt earlier.

'Oh, sorry Kit,' I muttered, standing up to allow him to shift himself to a more comfortable position.

'They smacked the shit out of me this time,' he laughed sardonically. I returned to my seat next to him on the bed once he had moved. I ran my hand through his hair, curling the light, soft tresses in my fingers. The strands bounced back into position so delicately. It felt like a metaphor for his humanity.

I leaned down to gently kiss his forehead. He looked up at me with his deep brown eyes, his velvet gaze embracing my soul.

'I love you, Y/N,' Kit purred.

'I love you more,' I replied. I lay in the small bed, in front of Kit's form, inviting him to hug me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in closer.

'You're all I needed. Just you with me,' he murmured.

'Where I'll always be,' I sighed.

+++

Le fin, or whateva.

[jazzmen4ik]

in progress🤫

[henrysglock]

love your time travel theory post on the superspy and TFS... although a big q you asked boiled down to... why would the villain reveal his plan and give info to el ?

well, villains often do that, esp narcissist ones like vecna. it's not just exposition but drama for the audience and the plot, and there are tons of villains in media who would have succeeded if they hadn't been prancing around talking about their plans. its classic attention needed by villains, much like why many killers tell people in the end and get caught. they need the recognition and attention.

It is a classic trope, it’s painfully overdone, and it rarely makes any sense…which almost makes me look harder at them subverting it.

I think one of our differences lies in how we perceive Vecna, too.

First, when villains tell their plans it’s because they want attention, as you said. That’s not something Henry ever does. Henry isn’t attention seeking in that way. We’ve seen from TFS to filmed Young Henry to Orderly Henry that the closest he gets to narcissism is pathological altruism, and even then he doesn’t try to claim glory from it by boasting before he’s done anything.

Second, Vecna/the Mindflayer show the capability and willingness to be secretive across all the seasons…and the exposition you claim as narcissism always gets their asses whooped. Every time. It’s not like the classical villain, who fails their one shot at their plans because they showed their hand too soon. These villains get multiple chances, and they still don’t seem to learn. Their plans get thwarted every time, specifically because someone tells the plans before the goal has been achieved.

If our multiplayer villains are both intelligent and capable of secrecy, but they don’t seem to learn from having their plans thwarted by previous exposés, and their Base Guy never had a tendency towards this brand of attention seeking (but he did seem to have some kind of “help people no matter if it hurts me” savior complex), then…what gives?

The logical conclusion just from that is that the Base Guy might be helping from behind the scenes.

If we want to take it even deeper, though, we see these exposés not just exposing plans, but also helping the protags. Henry’s visions in TFS help him fight his possession. El being shown the source for Billy’s possession helps her break him out when the time comes. Not to mention “RUN”, which is actually part of a bigger draft I have working in relation to visions in ST1. Long story short, though? Every vision we see given in ST1 is helping our protags either survive or solve the mystery.

It’s never just “~uhuhu here are my eViL pLaNs~”, it’s always more than that.

It’s akin to saying “oh here are the evil plans…and by the way here’s the cheat code that allows you to crash my whole system. toodles <3” or “hey, btw, i think you should run away right now if you don’t want to be mauled by one of (my?) monsters”

That’s not narcissistic exposition. That’s sabotage.

[myhauntedsalem]

The Birdman of Alcatraz

Robert Stroud’s life story was first told in a book in 1955 and then in a movie starring Burt Lancaster in 1962 both entitled “Birdman of Alcatraz.” Both portrayed his life story while he served time for murder first at Leavenworth and then later at Alcatraz. Both portrayed him as a ‘kindly’ reformed prisoner who spent years studying bird diseases and how to cure them. But as usual this Hollywood glossy version reflected only small parts of the real truth.

Robert Stroud was far from a ‘model’ prisoner.

In 1909 Stroud shot and killed a man in Juneau, Alaska. Stroud pimped for a prostitute who was cheated by a “john”. This “john” had paid her $2.00 instead of the expected $10.00. Stroud angry, because he didn’t get his usual cut, went to this man’s residence and shot him five times and then took his wallet. He was tried and convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to serve twelve years at McNeil Island prison in Washington State.

Two years later at McNeil Island he stabbed a fellow inmate for being a ‘snitch’. He was tried for assault and six months were tacked on to his sentence. During this time he also viciously attacked a prison hospital orderly. This man had reported him for using intimidation and threats in an attempt to procure narcotics. In 1912 he was transferred to the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas—due partially to his ceaseless threats to other inmates.

At Leavenworth, in the spring of 1916 Stroud refused to give a guard his “number’’ which was a minor infraction. The next day a long awaited visit with his brother was cancelled because of this infraction. Stroud during the noon meal that same day in the prison mess hall asked this guard if he had reported him. When the guard refused to respond, Stroud pulled out a concealed knife and stabbed and killed him in front of hundreds of other inmates.

For this crime, he was convicted of first-degree murder. He was to be hanged in 1918. But his mother who had moved to Kansas to be close to him, desperately pleaded for his life. In 1920 President Woodrow Wilson commuted his death sentence to life in prison. The Leavenworth warden because of Stroud’s unpredictable and violent outbursts ordered that he be permanently placed in a segregation unit.

Stroud was an enigma because he had an IQ of 134, but he ate with his fingers, hunched over like an animal. His horrible personal hygiene presented a problem for fellow inmates and prison officials alike. It wasn’t until 1934 that he was formally diagnosed as a psychopath.

While at Leavenworth, he found an injured sparrow in the yard; he took it back to his cell and nursed it back to health. This started his interest in birds. This interest was his one and only redeeming feature.

The warden at Leavenworth used Stroud’s interest in birds to present a model of “progressive rehabilitation” to the public. Shroud played along because he had found a way to raise some money for his mother who was fighting for his release.

Over the next years he raised over 300 canaries, which he sold to visitors at the prison. Stroud’s scientific observations of the canaries he kept did later benefit the research on the canary species. He wrote two books on this subject. He also made a contribution to avian pathology. All of this endeared him to people in the field.

In contrast to this he allowed his birds to fly freely in his cell, which resulted in quite a mess, which he never cleaned up. The massive correspondence he began to receive also became a burden for the prison for each letter coming in and going out had to be screened—a full-time secretary had to be hired just for this purpose.

Prison officials finally fed up with Stroud’s bird business tried to shut him down. He had Delle Mae Jones, a bird researcher in Indiana, which he had corresponded with alert the newspapers and start a petition drive. A 50,000-signature petition was sent to the President. This worked for the prison even gave Stroud an adjourning cell for his birds and his research.

Jones became so close to Stroud; she moved to Kansas and formed a business in 1931 with him where they sold his bird medicines under the name “Stroud’s Specific.” It was widely debated at the time if these remedies were actually effective.

In 1933 Stroud discovered that there were plans to move him to Alcatraz, he knew he would no longer be permitted to keep birds. Stroud however discovered a Kansas law that forbade the transfer of prisoners if they were married in Kansas. He arranged to marry Delle Mae Jones by proxy, which infuriated the prison officials, who would not let him correspond with his new wife.

The first irony here was Stroud was a violent prisoner —this is one reason that the prison officials kept him from the general prison population.

The second irony was Stroud lost his business and birds when it was discovered that some of the equipment he had requested for his lab he had actually used to build a homemade alcohol still.

The third irony is his mother didn’t like Delle—she believed all women were bad for her son. Where once she had been a strong advocate for him, helping with legal battles etc., she now argued against her son’s application for parole, in fact, she became a major obstacle in his attempts to be released. She moved away from Leavenworth and had no further contact with him.

Stroud was transferred to Alcatraz in December of 1942. When he was transferred this note was placed upon the warden’s notebook page with his mug shot. Reason for transfer:

“In view of this man’s homicidal traits and impulsivity dangerous tendencies, he cannot be released in the general population…they feel that it would be possible to confine this man safely at Alcatraz…also wishes to call attention to need for eliminating the insanitary condition…from this man’s bird breeding activities here…Recommend transfer to Alcatraz.”

At Alcatraz, Stroud spent six years in segregation where he did have some contact with other prisoners, but as things worsened he was placed in solitary confinement in an isolated area of the hospital wing for the last eleven years he was at Alcatraz.

This double cell had no toilet so Stroud used a bedpan. One priest who visited the prison stated he went out of his way to avoid being seen as he passed Stroud’s prison door—even going as far as to duck down. He stated if Stroud spotted him he would endlessly babble on and on.

Stroud having access to the prison library began studying law. He petitioned the government stating that his long prison term amounted to “cruel and unusual punishment”.

Another contrast—Stroud was a fan of child pornography. He received many letters from people who were fans of his bird knowledge. Some of these fans were children. Prison officials confiscated a few letters from Stroud in response to these children that contained suggestive remarks.

In 1959, Stroud in poor health was transferred to the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri. In 1963 he died at the age of 73, the day before John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

To this day Alcatraz, a very haunted place, has one cell that is more active than all the rest—this is the double cell that Stroud lived in for eleven years in solitary confinement. Full-body apparitions are spotted in this area.

So Robert Stroud was a cold-blooded killer, but the general public because of the book and film “Birdman of Alcatraz” had a totally different picture of him. I remember seeing this film as a child myself and thinking how cruel it was they never released him. The public in general felt the same because after the release of this film, which Burt Lancaster won an Oscar for best actor, many people protested for the release of Robert Stroud.

One fellow prison inmate who heard about the public outcry for Stroud’s release stated: “They want Burt Lancaster to be set free not Robert Stroud.”

[hazyaltcare]

hello!!! could i please request a moodboard for an Executor (Pathologic)? i was not a manifestation of the sand plague, just a simple orderly. for themes dark, grungy, and a sort of medical vibe? really just anything that reminds you of the game. i wasn't like a canon character so do whatever! thank you for your time,, have a nice day/night!!

Absolutely, it's in the queue! I hope you have a nice day/night as well!

Mod Vintage (🌡️), your fellow Pathologic person

if you're looking for sourcemates, please reply to this post! I and my systemmates would be happy to chat!