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]

[There's a hint of pride in Kölliker's interactions with Tarantula. Because her dads are so smart and cool, that's why! Funny serious glasses dad says that she always works very hard which must mean she is good and smart.

Egon pauses, then picks up the half-eaten bagel and just crams it into his mouth. He returns to the room with the full bag and his own coffee, going to sit back down at the desk and starting the device again. The printer continues to whir and spit out more information.

After a few moments of silence, Egon turns to face Venkman, reaching out to him with his hand. The bagel has been devoured almost immediately.]

I'm sorry about that, I-- [He shakes his head.] I'm worried about Ray.

[neverstudied]

[Tarantula thinks this over for a moment. If they both have the same dads, that means they're family, right? She baps Ko with one paw again. They're sisters! And maybe one day Tarantula will be that smart, too!

Pretty much as soon as Egon's out of the room and out of earshot, Venkman curls closer to Ray, burying his face in his neck and taking a deep, shuddering breath. His fists dig into the fabric of Ray's shirt and Venkman grits his teeth as he tries to both quietly freak out AND recompose himself before Egon comes back.]

C'mon Ray, we need you. I need you.

[His voice is low and desperate.

Predictably, Ray doesn't react. That doesn't make Venkman feel any better about this.

By the time Egon comes back, Venkman's schooled his expression into a more neutral one, again. He's still practically draped around Ray. He watches Egon get back to work, and blinks in surprise when Egon turns to face him again.]

Hey, don't worry about it, Spengs. I get it. But- he'll be ok. And we'll figure it out.

[pkemeter]

[Egon grimaces, nodding. He turns back to stare down at the ticker tape in his hands, muttering.]

Right, right...of course.

[!!!!!!!!!! SISTERS........... She's vaguely familiar with the concept of siblings, but none of them have been terribly positive given both Ray and Egon's associations. But the way Tarantula says it must mean it's good! And she sounds really happy!

Kölliker practically puffs up with pride, spinning around and around until she doesn't realize where she's going and end up hitting Venkman smack in the face.

Hope you like cytoplasm, Venkman. Extremely happy cytoplasm.]

[neverstudied]

[Sisters! Sisters! Sisters! Tarantula mewls, hopping up and down for a moment and stumbling over her own feet, flopping over on her side. She watches Kölliker whirl around, and squeaks in surprise when she slams into Venkman's face.

Venkman splutters, spitting out a bit of cytoplasm that got in his mouth. God, he did not miss getting slimed every day. For a brief moment, he glares at Ko, before relaxing, patting her.]

Thanks. Try to watch where you're going next time, will ya? ... What're you two so excited about?

[pkemeter]

[Immediately, Venkman has the following pretty much shouted in his brain--]

WE'RE SISTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Egon jolts a little from the interference, but otherwise doesn't react.]

[neverstudied]

[Venkman jerks back, clutching at his forehead for a moment at the sudden psychic screaming. He grimaces before the actual meaning of her words hits him.]

Sounds like our kids are bonding, huh, Spengs?

[pkemeter]

[Egon nods, still focused on the task at hand.]

Kölliker is not my child, she is a fully functional psychic embryo capable of caring for herself. [A pause.] But, yes, they do appear to be bonding quite well.

[Kölliker burbles happily, bumping herself against Venkman's cheek--no cytoplasm this time. Her membrane isn't that permeable.]

[neverstudied]

... She's your baby and you know it.

[He sticks his tongue out at Egon even though his back is to Venkman.]