Obscurum ("Ub-skYUr-um") and Hideaway ("hIde-awAEy")
[pt. Obscurum ("ub-skyur-um") and Hideaway ("hIde-awAEy") /end pt.]
Definition: A system role defined by the alter regularly hiding within or behind other alters, using them as a facade or shield of sorts, to obscure themself from others. These facade-alters are called "Hideaways." These alters may or may not be aware that they are doing this. They can go unnoticed for a long time by both system members and out-of-system loved ones due to them appearing to not be there. They can temporarily fuse with (aka "Inhabit or Possess") another alter to further obscure their presence, and can seem to simply "become them." They may have any number of Hideaways they can inhabit when they need or want to, though usually they can only inhabit one at a time.
They may seem to have no personality of their own, and finding their own identity can be difficult for many of these alters as it goes against the purpose of their role. They may also have one or more additional roles, such as a Mirror, Harborer, Prism, Masker, Host, Emotional Protector and/or Processor, Masker, Innkeeper, Interra, and many others.
Hideaways are often someone who the Obscurum either admires, wants to be like, enjoys the presence of, has an interest in or loves (this can be romantically, platonically, familially, etc.), or wants to help in some way, potentially through helping them develop coping mechanisms, emotional healing, or processing trauma they hold.
The exact reason for an Obscurum being present in a system can vary, but in general they hold the conviction, perhaps without even being aware of it, that their presence must remain unknown.
Hideaways are sometimes "Sidelined," meaning they are temporarily unused by the Obscurum, or "Vacated" which is to be permanently cast-aside in favor of other Hideaways. This could be due to any number of reasons, but a few common examples would be that the Obscurum is close to being discovered due to their influence on their Hideaway's personality being noticed, the Obscurum has found a different Hideaway which is more appealing to them and/or they have grown bored of their current one, the Obscurum and the Hideway have grown apart or are too different for them to easily inhabit the other, or the Hideaway has become aware of the Obscurum's presence and is rejecting them or is pushing them out.
Coined by us, The Wandering Graveyard, aka The Many Gates Multiplex. Others are welcome to make their own flag for this term, however we will likely get around to making our own eventually. Coined for our system's host and innkeeper, Vengeance. This term is made with NPD & BPD in mind, but is not exclusive to those with either/both disorders.
There is no DNI for this term, however our blog itself is Pro-Non-Traumagenic systems, and Pro-Self-Diagnosis. We are also supporters of those with Cluster-B PDs and do not believe in "Narcissistic Abuse." Please read our blog's DNI before reblogging this post.