Victory Road IC Inbox

[neverstudied]

"Hey, this is Dr. Peter Venkman- I'm probably busy. If you're calling about something stupid done by a Dr. Egon Spengler or a Dr. Ray Stantz, I'm sorry for whatever they did. Leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

Comments

[neverstudied]

[If he notices her presence, he doesn't react. She might need to try a little harder to invoke a reaction out of Venkman, especially considering how much the Litwick's flames are dancing.]

[ghoststanning]

[If a bug could pout, she is definitely doing so right now.

Okay change of plans! She's going to try crawling on dad too to poke him more!!]

[neverstudied]

[It's working a little bit! Especially the higher she climbs. Venkman starts to blink a little faster, as though he's waking back up from this mini-hypnosis. He's not quite there yet, though.

Eva, meanwhile, is completely entranced and is padding along after the Litwick diligently.]

[ghoststanning]

[>:(

She's gonna poke you in the face and trill in your ear now. Wake up!!]

[neverstudied]

[YEAH THAT ONE DID IT

Venkman's whole body jerks violently when she touches his face, and he shouts-]

Jesus Christ, why-

[He's in the middle of prying her away with the intent of [gently] tossing her aside when he registers just what actually happened.]

Oh.

[A beat. Venkman grimaces, but he places her on his shoulder.]

Ok, keep your legs on me for a minute.

[Venkman may hate it, but it's grounding him.

How's Ray doing during this?]

[ghoststanning]

[There is a brief moment where Lime is genuinely worried that Dad 2 will hurt her, but relaxes when he comes to his senses. She trills gently and grips onto Venkman's shoulder. She's really glad you're back c:

Meanwhile Ray is still incredibly lost here, and is just staring at the candle intensely, he might be getting a tiny bit paler now and this is the worst rescue mission.]

[neverstudied]

Yeah, yeah, don't get used to it.

[Venkman digs in his pockets for a minute, trying to find Maco's Pokeball, and comes up empty. He runs through a few different plans of action in his head and dismisses most of them immediately.

The simplest plan is the one he sticks with.

Venkman steps in front of Ray- blocking his view of the Litwick- and cups his face in his hands.]

Ray. Ray, wake up.

[If that doesn't work, Venkman will try kissing him back to reality. Don't test him.]

[ghoststanning]

[That seems like encouragement to nuzzle him to her! >:3

Ray's eyes still seem unfocused, and for once cupping his face doesn't immediately distract him from whatever he's doing.]

C'mon, Peter, stoppit.

[neverstudied]

[oh fuck this is bad gently holding the ray doesn't immediately fix everything,

Venkman tugs Ray forward a little bit.]

C'mon, dumbass. You're not dying to a candle today.

[Nevermind the fact that they can't die here, anyway.

He presses a kiss to Ray's lips- soft and chaste, though the hands on his cheeks hold a little tighter than necessary.]

[ghoststanning]

[There is a small sound of surprise as Venkman kisses him, and he's immediately shaken out of his hypnosis. He soon relaxes into the kiss, although he's still very confused.

When the kiss breaks, Ray finally speaks.]

Wha-? Venkie, how long have I been sitting here...?

[neverstudied]

Few minutes. You kinda look like you're about to pass out.

[He strokes Ray's cheek with one thumb, and glances over at the Litwick. Eva is currently lying on her side, still staring into the candle's light. He sighs.]

Do you remember where I left their containment units, or are we gonna have to search the whole hotel room for 'em before that candle sends my fox into the emergency room?

[ghoststanning]

Gee, you'd think I would have better mental fortitude for this after awhile, huh?

[Ray smiles fondly at Venkman, before thinking.]

Have you looked in your bag yet? That's where I keep all my containment units.

[neverstudied]

Honestly, I think you've gotten worse.

[Teasing.

He frowns.]

Usually I keep 'em on my belt or in pockets, but maybe.

[Venkman crosses the room to his bag and digs through the pockets. After a minute, he triumphantly holds up two Pokeballs.

... It's worth noting that during this time, Ray's view of the Litwick is completely unblocked, so if he's still susceptible- well.]

[ghoststanning]

[Ray sticks his tongue out at Peter.]

You're such a jerk.

[Aaand yeah the moment Venkman comes back Ray's starting to fall back under the hypnosis.

He's fine.]

[neverstudied]

You stupid, stupid man...

[He recalls the Litwick first, obviously. Immediately, whatever trancelike state Ray and Eva have fallen into breaks off. Eva blinks rapidly, disoriented and incredible confused. Venkman returns her to the containment unit as well, frowning at the Pokeball- she'll probably need to rest for a while. Probably wouldn't hurt to take her to a center, too.

Venkman kisses Ray on the cheek.]

Good morning.

[ghoststanning]

[It takes a moment for Ray to realize where he is again, and while the kiss is able to fully bring him out, he is annoyed at himself for falling under the trance so soon.]

Damn, maybe I am getting worse...

[He goes to nuzzle Venkman for comfort but then he notices-]

Hey Peter! It looks like you warmed up to Lime fast!

[The Kabuto trills happily. Ray meanwhile is grinning like an idiot at the two.]

[neverstudied]

I told ya.

[He frowns, and gently pries the Kabuto off of him.]

I dunno what you're talking about.

[ghoststanning]

I'm sure you don't.

[He gives Venkman a knowing wink, and takes Lime into his arms.

He awkwardly stands up but finds himself stumbling a bit.]

Ugh, I wonder if there's a quick cure for having your life force sucked out of you.

[neverstudied]

[... Ray probably shouldn't have said that.]

Well, if kissing you was able to snap you out of it in the first place...

[ghoststanning]

[Thanks Venkman...]

Peter! There are children here!

[He's talking about Lime, who's trilling curiously.]

[neverstudied]

[A beat. Venkman starts laughing.]

I didn't even mean anything more than kissing, but hey, if your mind is already in the gutter...

[ghoststanning]

[Ray's face suddenly turns bright red as he buries his face behind the Kabuto.]

It's not my fault! Your mind is always in the gutter and it's ruining me, Peter.

[He loves you he's just embarrassed that he went there so fast.]

[neverstudied]

Not always.

[He moves Lime out of the way so he can kiss Ray on the nose.]

Just most've the time.

[ghoststanning]

[Ray smiles and gently cuddles Lime.]

I'm really in love with you, Venkie.

[neverstudied]

[... It's stupid, but there's still a moment where Venkman's heart skips a beat when Ray says that, after all these years. Like he still can't quite believe it, despite all the proof clearly laid out before him.]

I love you.