Victory Road IC Inbox

[pkemeter]

"You have reached Dr. Egon Spengler. Please leave a message, preferably fifty words or less."

Comments

[neverstudied]

You forgot- you forgot, Spengs, I could get arrested for this. We don't even know what they'd do to the eggs- confiscated, probably, unless I hide them- I can't believe you didn't get arrested already in my body, the guy must not want to go to the police for whatever reason, but- Spengler-

... Oh, yeah, speaking of Ray, is he the one to blame for the little fucking slime monster on my leg? Because, yeah, that was the other thing I wanted to talk about. Because I wouldn't put it past ya to get me a fucking slime creature just to mess with me, but only Ray would put a "Slimer Jr." nametag and stickers on the containment unit.

[Slimer Jr. burbles softly and lovingly as he caresses Venkman's leg. Venkman shudders.]

Also, Luca heard you. There's two eggs that'll look like her. That help?

[He's slowly calming down to the point of no longer shouting, but Venkman is still very clearly pissed. The Inkay has moved to hide behind Luca, who pats him gently and makes reassuring clicking sounds.]

[pkemeter]

I've been staying in your room for the past two days. I have taken the courtesy of wiring myself money from my own account in order to order take-out. [Still, he's not going to leave Venkman to face the consequences of his mistakes.] Perhaps if I wrote up an extensive explanation as to what occurred and that you were not directly responsible for any of my mistakes? Would he accept that? ...Ah. That would explain why he messaged me while in your body about not saying anything about your new Pokémon. I was wondering what that was all about. [There's your answer, Venkman.] I am unsure why he would name a Poison Pokémon after the Segewick ghost in your dimension--it is quite tangible and-- [He hears the squelching noises and pauses.] Oh. Oh, I see.

[neverstudied]

An apology letter, Egon? Yeah, I'm sure he'll accept that just fine, right before he rearranges my face and leaves me bleeding out in the street.

God, I can't even be mad at Ray for this, I'm so furious with you. ... No, I can't even be mad at you. Goddamnit. [Venkman drops his head and rubs at his temples, groaning.] If I hadn't pissed those guys off while playing against 'em, none of this would've happened.

[Venkman feels something clamber up his back. He jerks in surprise, before registering the soft, excited purring for what it is.]

Hey, Roach.

[The Wimpod chitters delightedly as he scrambles up Venkman's shoulder, headbutting him in the chin. Venkman reaches up to scritch him.]

[pkemeter]

It was--I mean-- [He falls into a nervous silence. He doesn't know how to fix social problems that he fell into due to his...Egon-ness. Why can't people understand that sometimes you just switch bodies for a few days and end up being woefully negligent about not getting your partner in trouble? Egon hears the chittering noise and frowns.] ...At least the isopod seems happy to see you again. [A pause.] Oh, uh--I was about to comment how unusual that a large clutch would turn out to be the male's species. Perhaps you could...sell the eggs? I would assume many people would be interested in getting the opportunity to study an aquatic creature that is seemingly able to survive well above water.

[neverstudied]

[Luckily, Venkman knows Egon is shit at helping with stuff like this. And most of his anger has died down.]

It's alright. I'll go to the casino tonight and try to track the guy back down. Maybe I'll sweeten the deal with one of the eggs, see if that makes him feel less inclined to murder me.

How was Roach while you were here? I know he didn't like Ray in my body, I'm guessing he gave you the same cold shoulder?

[pkemeter]

Please keep us updated. We will need to know if we will have to make arrangements to take the train to Celadon. [...Really poor attempt at humor that is only more disconcerting once you take into account his tone of voice. Still. There's something better to talk about to distract him.] He was not particularly inclined to interact with me, which was surprising, given how I have seen him act with you. I was hoping to further study his behavior and compare it to the behavior of giant isopods. [He pauses, rubbing his chin.] Also, Kölliker seems please that I have returned, although she is still rather confused.

[ghoststanning]

[Good job, guys, you woke up the boy! Ray slowly stirs awake from all this talking, and wraps an arm around Egon lazily.]

Are you guys having fun without me again?

[He still sounds half asleep, and Venkman will barely understand what he's saying.]

[neverstudied]

Thanks, Egon. You're always a real comfort.

Yeah, he really doesn't like people that aren't me, so far as I can tell. Scared of 'em. Not sure why, yet. I'd work on it more, but I've got a few more problems kids taking priority- like the deer. ... Really? What's she saying?

[Oh. That's. That's not how Egon's voice should sound. That's not how Egon's voice should ever sound. Still, his reply is chipper.]

Good morning, sleeping beauty.

[pkemeter]

It seems that most of your Pokémon are not particularly inclined to be in your presence. Kölliker keeps saying "glasses dad happy kölliker happy baby", or some variation of that.

[Hello, Ray. Egon pauses before wrapping his own arm around Ray. It's kind of weird to be spending time with...yourself, technically?]

We were discussing your...gift? [The corner of his mouth twitches upward.] Slimer, Jr., I believe.

[ghoststanning]

[You think that's bad, Venkman, just try listening to Egon's voice as he wakes up at the mention of Slimer Jr, and there's pure excitement in his voice.]

Oh yeah! Did Venkie finally get to meet him?

[neverstudied]

Hey. I've got some that like me! And I'm doing what I can, ok!

[Don't be fucking rude Egon]

Has Ko asked about me?

... Oh, dear God. Ray, tone it down, you're gonna give me an aneurysm. And yeah. He's wrapped up around my leg like slimy cast.

[pkemeter]

...Yes, actually. I believe she said something along the lines of "loud box dad where fun bastard". She's still swearing.

[...]

Grimers exude a toxic sludge from their pores, correct? If possible, could you tell us the effects this sludge has on your skin?

[ghoststanning]

You corrupted our daughter, Pete. I hope you're happy with yourself.

[He's half joking he loves you.]

Oh. Sorry about that; that bit was sort of unintentional. I was just so excited to see a Grimer in person that I guess his first impression of you was someone who loves affection like that.

But hey, at least this will be a great bonding experience for you two!

[neverstudied]

[Venkman grins.]

I knew she'd think I was the fun dad.

... Wait. Wait, wait, you gave me a TOXIC SLIMER?

[Venkman scrambles to get on his feet and takes several steps away from Slimer Jr. Roach makes a surprised noise at being jostled and clings tightly to Venkman's shoulder.

Slimer Jr., undeterred, burbles softly and follows Venkman, even as he desperately tries to put as much distance between himself and the Grimer as possible.]

[pkemeter]

[Egon listens to the commotion, frowning lightly. Overall, he...doesn't actually seem that concerned about the fact that it's toxic.] I would take the opportunity to embrace this behavior, Venkman. Such friendliness makes it a prime subject for any tests or observations you wish to make. [...] You do know you can return it to its containment unit, yes?

[ghoststanning]

Aww c'mon, Pete! When I played with Slime Jr., he didn't hurt me that badly!

[He maybe got some minor burns.

It's fine he's fine.]

[neverstudied]

Spengs, I'm not the mad scientist here, I don't want to run a bunch of tests on some living acid that might eat through my skin!

[Right, the containment unit. He inches around the Grimer until he reaches his desk, and recalls Slimer Jr.]

Thanks for the walking biohazard, Ray.

[pkemeter]

Then you can run some tests on the eggs, instead. [A pause.] Ray, you may be glad to know that I was successfully able to obtain a clutch of eggs from a breeding pair of Pokémon while in Venkman's body. Inkays and Squirtles. [The corner of his mouth twitches upwards. It's a surprising relief to finally hear Venkman the way he's supposed to sound.] You seem to be back to normal. Compared to Ray and I, at least. Tell me, do you feel any lingering after-effects due to the psychokinetic brainwave transfer?

[ghoststanning]

I think he's cute!

[>:(]

Oh that's great! I wish I was there to see it. Were you able to see their breeding habits?

Venkie you should save one of those Inkay eggs for me! I always wanted one of them.

[Ray never talked about them before he just loves all Pokemon.]

[neverstudied]

Haha, yeah, Ray, you wanna know where he got the Inkay? And why I have an Inkay for now? Spengs, why don't you tell him.

[He's still a little pissed. But mostly he just wants to force Egon to admit he stole a fucking squid.]

He's not cute, he's a living wad of sludge that you've forcibly bonded to me.

... And yeah, I'll give you one of the eggs.

[pkemeter]

I'm sure that's not entirely necessary. I fully intended to return the Inkay but became curious about what Pokémon could breed with it.

[...Trying very hard not to say he accidentally stole someone's Pokémon.]

I'm sure Luca is very proud of her clutch. Although I don't understand how the Inkay was able to breed with her in the first place.

[ghoststanning]

[Ray sticks his tongue out at Venkman, and it's probably a good thing he can't see this because it looks ridiculous coming from Egon's body.]

I'll name him after you as a thanks, Pete.

[-Wait what.]

What do you mean "intended to return"?

[neverstudied]

Please don't name a squid after me.

Yeah, Egon. Whaddya mean by "intended to return"? How about ya enlighten the audience?

[pkemeter]

[Egon falls silent for a moment, pointedly avoiding eye contact with Ray. He picks at the side of the PokéGear.]

I...may have...accidentally placed Peter under suspicion of arrest. [A pause.] Because I may have accidentally stole someone's Pokémon.

[There. Happy, Venkman?]

[ghoststanning]

[Yeah Ray lets go of Egon at that.]

Egon! You already got arrested this week! You can't keep getting us arrested like this! How are we supposed to go on fun adventures if we're all in jail?