The Lepsicon

«The Lepsicon» Dedicated to Louise Hoffman as confirmation of our Lepsic Contract. This edition is produced as a single copy and is not subject to distribution, discussion, etc., outside the circle of persons party to the Lepsic Contract. Chapter 16 of the Pocket Catalog of Paraphilias: The Lepsicon §1. Introduction The purpose of this chapter is to provide the reader with an understanding of such perversions as NYMPHOLEPSY and FAUNOLEPSY , respectively. Both words share a Greek origin, tracing back to the word lepsis—a seizing, an ivory seizure, or a fit. The root nymph refers to the nymphs of Ancient Greece—minor deities personifying springs, trees, and the countryside. The root faun originates from Roman mythology. The Faun, unlike the Greek satyr, is a more good-natured forest creature, at times timid. An explanation of the terminology associated with the lepsias is provided below. Let us agree that here and hereafter—in marked contrast to more common paraphilias where the object of desire is most often an adult of the opposite sex—lepsias are oriented toward a specific age-and-gender group, which we shall designate, following V. V. Nabokov, by the term " nymphet " (for nympholepsy) and our proposed term " faunling " (for faunolepsy). §2. Nympholepsy Nympholepsy as a term was devised in the first half of the 20th century by the Russian-American writer Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov to designate the "nymphet"—a female adolescent between the ages of 11 and 16 (by our own adjustment) who possesses, according to the assertions of " leptics " (as we shall call paraphiles in the context of lepsias), extraordinarily attractive traits unique to nymphets. Characteristic features of nymphets include a face with soft features, narrow hips, underdeveloped breasts, long limbs, and the angularity of movement common to all adolescents, which the leptic is prone to characterize as grace. Their behavior is marked by a coquettishness that is unintentional and spasmodic, in some cases manifesting as a defense mechanism. It is expressed through sudden glances over the shoulder, playful movements, a demonstrative indifference to others interspersed with flashes of trust, the drawing out of words, and occasionally vulgar behavior. §3. Faunolepsy Un lindo pequeño joven. The term we introduced last year was created by no means accidentally; it serves to balance the lepsias and provide a more detailed and distinct characterization of them. The object of this lepsia is called a faunling . A "faunling" is an adolescent boy between the ages of 12 and 17 (the delay in male puberty allows for a one-year extension). Faunlings, according to the claims of fawnoleptics, are beautiful with a singular beauty—a beauty that has not yet lost the childhood softness of features but has been tainted by puberty. Key Traits: frequently light eyes and hair (though this is not a rule and generally depends on the individual preferences of each leptic); a height of 165 to 175 centimeters; non-masculine facial features; weak or moderate secondary hair growth; narrow hips, a slender (in some cases slightly athletic) build; fragile clavicles and somewhat protruding shoulder blades; long, thin limbs (appearing longer than they are due to the general narrowness of the body); hands that are rather large in relation to the rest of the body, with protruding knuckles that are often slightly red, and unkempt nails; thin light eyebrows, and a gaze that is either piercing or, conversely, indifferent. A voice that has undergone mutation but is by no means coarse. A noticeable outline of the Adam's apple. In some cases—a lack of tidiness or a simplicity and carelessness in dress. A faunling is never classically beautiful—he often possesses some minor flaw that further incites the leptic. The vexing companion of youth—acne—is always present to some degree of intensity. Mira qué belleza, tan llena de gracia... Es lo más hermoso que he visto pasar… The behavior of faunlings is characterized by an affected masculinity within the bounds of normalcy and initial heterosexual drive. They are not always tidy, they are mobile, and they are fond of adopting various poses, twisting about as if they do not know what to do with their limbs. They cast frequent glances into the crowd. Gestures are noticeable and often out of place. They use much profanity. Notable is the habit of touching their face or other body parts, and blushing slightly when addressed. Communication is inconsistent, with frequent and sharp mood swings. They exhibit (even if quiet) a certain shamelessness and a disregard for the norms of etiquette. They might, for instance, sprawl out and sleep directly on a school desk. They behave shyly or defiantly in any setting where the body is on display. The gait is (though not always) a waddle. Faunlings often observe their first relationships with girls of their own age, who, of course, cannot be nymphets (unlike nymphets themselves, who most often have no relationships at all). Faunlings are frequently either entirely solitary/attached to their "girlfriend," or they belong to a group of friends in which they express a fierce loyalty to their social circle and hypermasculinity. Another trait is the ignoring of distance and boundaries. Some faunlings are quite fond of fighting. §4. Symptoms of Lepsias Leptics may be persons of either sex who have reached an age of self-awareness. The symptoms of nympholepsy and fawnolepsy are practically identical. We shall take the liberty of listing the main ones, divided into several stages. The First, or Initial Stage: Always begins with recognition. A leptic might have seen a nymphet or faunling a hundred times, but on the hundred-and-first, recognition occurs. Leptics describe this as a deep feeling that makes them laugh. A precise image of the object arises in the mind, surfacing in the leptic's thoughts with increasing frequency. At this early stage, the lepsia is very easily treated—one need only remove the object from the leptic's field of vision. The Second, or Progressive Stage: Characterized by an insatiable desire to shadow the object. Reflection awakens at this stage. The leptic, as a rule, pushes it into the background, while remaining aware of their lepsia and justifying everything as a light and amusing infatuation. Meanwhile, voyeurism advances. The leptic begins to memorize the route usually taken by the object; their minor physical traits; their habits and manners. There is often a desire to learn the object's first and last name to gather more information. A need arises for a full visual inspection of the object's body to satisfy one's own aesthetic requirements. At this stage, only time can heal. The Third, or Printed Stage: Reaching this, the leptic requires tangible proof of their attention (though leptics almost never experience sexual attraction to their objects; it is most often aesthetic or observational). Thus, leptics start diaries or other media in which they record everything they know about their object—be it text, photos, personal data, or even stories. §5. Lepsias Among Adolescents A similar phenomenon can also occur among persons who are themselves the age of lepsia objects. Unlike adult lepsia, where the leptic is almost always older, adolescent lepsia knows no hierarchy: the leptic may be younger, a peer, or older (by a year or two). The adolescent leptic is usually unpopular, secretive, and highly reflective (which is why they cannot be a nymphet or faunling themselves). Their attraction is doubly tabooed—they must carefully conceal the lepsia as soon as they become aware of it. (Handwritten marginalia: "Louise, you stared at him too intently; do you think he was so engrossed in funny videos that he didn't notice?") §6. Conclusion Lepsias, as a subclass of paraphilias, are among the most unusual and unique classifications. They are the only paraphilias that are cured by the calendar. What remains is only regret. We shall discuss voyeurism in the next chapter.