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

[pkemeter]

[Egon offers a hand to help Venkman up.]

Come on.

[A pause.]

Are we...supposed to propose two more times for each partner?

[neverstudied]

I have no idea. I was basically planning to propose en masse, to all three of you at once, but this puts a wrench into that plan.

[He takes Egon's hand again, and just... holds it.]

We're engaged.

[Stating the obvious, yes, but there's something vaguely awed in his tone. Then:]

Was this an elaborate plan to make me stop thinking about the shit you were worried about earlier?

[pkemeter]

There's still no reason you wouldn't be able to do that. We still need rings. Of course, it would be more of a formality, but...most such things relating to romantic relationships are just formalities.

[Egon stares down at Venkman's hand intertwined in his. A surge of unidentified emotion in his chest makes it suddenly difficult to breathe. He's fairly certain, however, that the emotion is positive.]

What? No. You were the one who chose to speak about your desire to marry.

[neverstudied]

... All good points.

[The gears in his head are already turning to figure out how he can make Proposal Round 2 go off without a hitch.

When they get back to the tents, Venkman hesitates, frowning.]

... You wanna break the news, or should I?

[pkemeter]

...

Perhaps I should be the one. After all, I was the one who proposed the proposal.

[He looks a little embarassed.]

But you should wake them up.

[neverstudied]

Great. Throwing me right into the line of fire.

[Well. No time like the present. With clear trepidation, he goes over to Ray's sleeping bag, grips his shoulder, and shakes him awake.]

[ghoststanning]

[Ray stirs slightly, grimmacing over being woken up. He is still too far into REM to fully wake up and just slurs his words and turns over in his sleeping bag.]

It's late, lemme sleep.

[pkemeter]

We're engaged.

[--Is all Egon says. It is the most succinct way to put it, right?]

[neverstudied]

You-

... Why did I even think letting you explain it would be a good idea?

[ghoststanning]

[Ray groans, annoyed that they're talking to him while he's trying to sleep. Sure, he loves chatting with his partners, but that doesn't mean he likes being awoken at odd hours for no good reason.

And then the words hit him through the cloud of sleepiness.

He can't be hearing that right, though, can he? Not only is that something that would have happened in a dream, but there's no way this sort of development would come up in the middle of the night when they're supposed to be asleep.

Groggily, he sits up, and looks at the two, tired but mostly confused.]

Wh... what did you say?

[yousayyes]

[In the middle of his rest, Winston takes a deep breath in.]

...exclusive "we", if that helps.

[His eyes are still closed as he says it, hands acting as a pillow with the back of his head resting on his palms. But that delivery is much more lucid than it should be.]

[pkemeter]

[Egon opens his mouth to comment, and then closes it again, staring at Winston as he realizes the implication behind his words.]

You were awake.

[Not a question. Just a statement.]

[neverstudied]

You were awake???

[Definitely a question, and very indignant.]

[ghoststanning]

[Ok all of this is definitely setting off some kind of alarms. What kind? He has no idea because he's just woken up and everyone else sounds like they know a lot more than him.]

Did you guys have a secret conversation without me?

[He's not angry, just disappointed.]

[yousayyes]

[He runs his hands down his face.] Sorry, I woke up somewhere in the middle of... [He hesitates.] when you were talking. I swear I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I wanted to leave you two alone and thought I could get myself to fall back asleep again. But, uh. I couldn't.

...and then you started to wake up Ray and I knew I couldn't be too far behind. At that point it'd be more awkward if I kept faking it.

[Winston gives an apologetic look towards them, before turning to Ray.] I wasn't... participating, so I think it's best if they explained the rest.

[pkemeter]

[Egon falls quiet for a moment, seemingly frozen where he stands. He switches his attention from Ray, to Winston, to Venkman, then back to Ray.

After what seems like an eternity, Egon clears his throat.]

Er. Well. We were discussing the possiblity of marriage in this dimension. And I proposed that I would not be opposed to the idea.

[Please help him, Venkman.]

[neverstudied]

[A sigh.]

By that he means I talked about getting married at some point and he took it as me proposing, so we're technically engaged now. Figured it wasn't polite to leave you two outta the deal.

[He then braces himself for whatever Ray's incoming reaction will be.]

[ghoststanning]

[And now he’s officially awake and god what a thing to wake up to.]

Aww Pete, you know I was the one who wanted to propose to you guys first! And now you accidentally propose to Egon while I’m asleep so I couldn’t even see his reaction.

[He sounds so sad help him.]

[pkemeter]

[Egon clears his throat, looking away from Ray.]

Technically, it was a result of me responding--

[Oh, forget it. Egon shakes his head slowly, closing his eyes.]

I was saying that--we could make it more official in a different setting.

[yousayyes]

Yeah, think of it as more like... a pre-proposal. [Winston scoots himself over so he can hold Ray's hands in his own, giving him some much needed reassurance.] So no need to give up now, you've still got your chance.

...and if anything, you missed out on Pete's reaction.