neverstudied | Victory Road IC Inbox

Bigger than both of us in the physical sense, or in the more philosophical, "we are but atoms in an uncaring universe" sense?

[He shakes his head, a fond smile on his face, as he pulls a jacket on.]

Alright, alright. Where are you on the Route? I'll start heading that way.

Definitely the first. Maybe the second. Depends on your outlook.

[He lets out a deep breath that turns into a whistle midway through.]

Well... I didn't go into the woods just yet, so the second you set foot on the bridge, you should be able to see me standing right at the other end of it. You can't miss me- I'm the one in the baseball uniform. [He winks. Even though Peter can't see it, he can probably feel it. Spiritually.]

Nice and ominous, Winston.

What even are the baseball teams in this place? You found your new Jags yet?

[Off he goes! Padding along beside Venkman, flanking him on either side, are his Houndoom and Houndour. Not exactly acclimated to the water-dominated surroundings of Cerulean City, but it's been a while since he rotated the two to his team.

Zuul is fully leaning into her self-declared role as a guard dog, her lips curling back at every perceived threat and snarling deep in her throat until Venkman calls her off. Vinz keeps wandering off to chase Zigzagoon, barking excitedly, his stump of a tail wagging. Winston's probably going to see or hear him first, honestly.]

I'd like to say I have... but as it turns out, the Magikarp actually have a win record in the double digits for this season. [The Jags were really one of a kind- he'd be hard-pressed to find another team like them.]

[True enough, he hears the barking uproar coming from Venkman's hellhounds and quickly turns his head towards the source of the noise. Seeing Peter on the horizon, a contented smile crosses his face.]

Have to talk to you later- somebody with two unleashed dogs just got on the bridge.

[He hangs up, slipping the Pokegear into his backpack before walking back across the nugget bridge to meet Venkman halfway. Once he reaches the middle of the bridge, Winston stops to lean his back against the railing, crossing his arms, waiting to be approached.]

Gosh, I wonder what kinda jackass would do something like that.

[Zuul snorts disdainfully as she listens in to her trainer's conversation, and she barks once- a commanding, sharp sound that seems to echo. Vinz skids to a halt and immediately begins to trot back to Venkman's side, though he casts glances over his shoulder at Winston as he does so. Vinz licks at Zuul's face when he reaches her again, whining and yipping excitedly and telling her things neither Venkman or Winston can understand. The Houndoom's overall demeanor doesn't change, but her tail wags a bit in response.

Venkman reaches the midpoint of the bridge and mirrors Winston's casual posture, slouching on arm against the railing.]

Well, you got me out here. Mind telling me why?

[He's smirking, but he does look genuinely curious.]

It's cloudy out. [With those three words as Peter's only explanation, Winston tilts his head back to gaze at the sky of a setting sun.]

[The time is such that the heavens have become encompassed by a gentle lilac, a wide-reaching canvas of dusk. Ephemeral in its own right. ...but in this weather, it's only the canvas. A mere backdrop, thoroughly obscured by the countless clouds suspended weightless in the air- fluffy, formless masses of deep muted violets accented by vibrant streaks of piercing crimson painting their undersides. The further down a cloud floats, the brighter its body, the more it catches the glowing golden hues of both the bridge beneath their feet and the radiant sunlight still shining over the horizon. The shimmering river running below, a liquid mirror reflecting all of the above.]

[He breathes it in, taking the time in this moment to simply experience the feeling of fresh air filling his lungs, appreciating this entirely mundane, everyday action the same way something so routine and inevitable as a sunset can be cherished.]

[...and with a slow, steady exhale, his chest sinks. Pulling his hat off by the brim, a wry smile plays at his lips as he looks over at Venkman.]

...but I guess it's not that impressive. Now that you're here, it's only the second-best looking thing on this bridge.

... You dragged me out here for a weather report?

[Venkman raises his eyebrows and tilts his head to look up at the sunset. From his perspective, it's just... a sunset. He doesn't really see all the little details of it the way Winston does. Though, as dismissive as he sounds, Venkman does get the significance. It's sappy. Cute. He's about to say something along those lines when Winston speaks up again, and, for a brief moment, renders him speechless.]

... Scratch that, you dragged me out here for a weather report and compliments. Guess it could be worse.

[The faint smile on his face betrays him as also being a sap.]

[Winston gives a good-natured laugh, sliding a hand around Venkman's waist, pulling him into a one-armed hug.]

Yeah, I figured you'd want something more. Hang on, let's see, what else do I have to show you-

[With that very un-subtle hinting aside, he shrugs his backpack off one shoulder so it hangs at his side, reaching into one of the many pockets to dig out a travel brochure for Cerulean Cape, handing it over to Venkman. It has all the usual trappings of such tourist trap adverts- photos of notable attractions, claims of being "the perfect seaside getaway for you and your special someone", and one segment dedicated entirely to local pokémon listings.]

If you want, we could take a trip there right now. Of course, we'll probably need to stay the night if we do... it's already getting pretty late in the day.

Believe me, I'd love to see whatever else you have to offer.

[At his feet, Zuul huffs, as if to remind her idiot trainer that they're in public and to shut up before he says something stupid. Venkman barely notices.

Vinz has his paws on a low beam on the railing and gapes down at the water, panting.]

Hmmm. All night romantic getaway, huh? I seem to remember Ray getting jealous the last time I tried to keep you all to myself... But we can always make it up to him later, right?

You mean something like you joining in on our gameshows for a change? [He gives a smirk, kissing his cheek.] But yeah, no doubt we're gonna give back to him- it'll all even out with us.

[Although he already feels like this date proposal is a way of giving back to Peter for the time he spent separated from Egon and Ray. After all, if they're already trekking through the same places Venkman's seen before, they might as well stop to appreciate these parts off the beaten path that he didn't take in the first time around.]

[Winston tightens his hold on Peter and tilts his head a bit, looking over at Zuul first, then down at Vinz.] So, is the little guy gonna be alright around all the water? ...he sure looks excited about it. [The tone of that statement comes with an unsaid "but how much will we need to hold him back from running off into the sea" at the end.]

As long as it's not just game shows...

[Venkman actually never passed through Cerulean in the first place, instead traveling through the Diglett Tunnel. He did briefly show up here on a weird Friday, but not for long. So he's definitely never seen most of the stuff around Cerulean.]

Ehh, he'll be fine. He's got Zuul to keep him from doing anything too stupid.

[Zuul huffs. Unfortunately, she can't exactly deny that he's right.]

Ah, I see- he takes after his owner. [The corners of his eyes slyly tilt up.] In that case, we should be alright if we all stick together.

[With that said, the four begin their walk down the forest path together, sun setting ever more, their surroundings darkening to the point far-off branches resemble pitch-black shadows cast against the dimming sky.]

[Winston moves with Venkman as a single unit, holds tightly onto him as he looks around, taking in the tranquil beauty of the environment around them. ...quickly developing the habit of looking over his shoulder to make sure neither of Venkman's dogs get lost around the bend when they turn a corner. Of course, it's harder to keep sight of them in the dark- so ultimately he winds up relying more on his ears to keep track of them as the afternoon progresses further into night.]

[And as the night falls, his shoulders start trembling, shaking the arm he's kept slung around Venkman- his flesh becoming notably icy and his hairs standing on end. Winston gives a sheepish look as a particularly severe shiver jostles Peter a bit.]

...sorry, just a little chillier out tonight than I thought it'd be. [It's not like he's exactly dressed for the cold, either.]

You wound me.

[They set off on their little journey, with Zuul immediately coming to Venkman's side and walking in step with him. Vinz takes a few seconds to realize what's going on and plod after the three. As expected, he takes brief detours to sniff at things in the forest and stray off the path, but Zuul inevitably brings him back with little more than a huff.

Venkman notices the shivering, of course, and laughs softly.]

What were you thinking when you came out here, anyway? Can't've planned this, or you would've at least worn a scarf. Unless you're not always the infallible genius of our quartet...

[He shakes his head, and tugs the scarf off his own neck- white, with blue stripes. Wingull-patterned. He wraps it around Winston's neck and begins to work on tying it.]

[He gives a bemused chuckle.] Come on- who said I was a genius?

[The wingull scarf forms something of a shield around his mouth, trapping his breath so every exhale bounces back with a burst of warm air brushing against his neck, sending a wave of goosebumps through his skin that ripples back to the tip of his spine. It takes a minute for him to adjust to it, and he pauses a for a while to gather his thoughts before speaking again.]

Well, when I first laid eyes on that advert for the Cape, I planned on just turning around and circling back to the inn to show it to you... That is, until I noticed the sun was getting ready to set and I got the idea to invite you out on the bridge to see it with me. Thought I could stand to do better than barging into the room and flopping a flyer on your lap, anyway.

...though I'm sure that would've won you over just as well. [There's a mildly smug aura coming off the teasing grin he's giving- it might come off stronger if his teeth weren't still chattering behind it.]

Everyone. You know you're the smartest of all of us.

[As he finishes fixing the scarf to Winston's neck, he leans forward to plant a kiss to his nose, grinning.]

Can you blame me for being easily swayed by your charms?

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