victory_road | [006] - video (cw: drugs?)

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[006] - video (cw: drugs?)

~~[everett didn't you just post a thing like two weeks ago? shh this is important]~~

[Around 8 AM, a livestream gets posted to the network. There's some amount of fumbling as Egon tries to get the camera to stay still. When the PokéGear finally stabilizes, Egon takes a step back, adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat. Ray Stantz can be seen in the background with an excited expression on his face, as well as a Parasect resting on a nearby counter. A small chunk of the mushroom lip looks as if it has been cut off, though the Parasect doesn't seem to mind this.]

Good morning. I'm Dr. Egon Spengler, and I am here with Dr. Raymond Stantz and Amanita the Parasect to understand the affects of the mushrooms growing on a Parasect and/or Paras.

[He picks up a chunk of mushroom from behind the camera and holds it closely to the camera. The cap appears to be pink with dark yellow spots on it, while the gills appear to be a dark brown color.]

Now, as we know, this fungus enters an almost parasitic relationship with a Paras in its early life, and upon evolving, completely overtakes the host and acts as the "brain" of the entire creature. If the mushroom is removed from the Parasect, the creature ceases movement entirely. These mushrooms release poisonous spores, but these spores can be steeps and boiled to remove their toxicity and are used in some traditional medicines.

[He places the mushroom next to Amanita, who barely reacts. She simply continues to stare unblinkingly at the wall.]

Today, we are going to be observing what effects these mushrooms have upon human beings upon being ingested in their base forms. Our hopes is that these fungi may be able to mitigate physical pain. We will be recording this in order to further analyze whatever data we collect after the experiment has concluded. Ray and I will both be ingesting approximately 500 milligrams of fungi each.

[Egon picks up his piece of mushroom, and Ray does likewise. Ray grins, giving Egon a thumbs up.]

You ready, Egie?

Ready.

[They both eat the mushrooms and wait for the effects to settle in. The initial reactions are quite boring, with Egon droning on about fungi reproduction and how mushrooms have been used in medicine in his dimension and Ray playing with Amanita and occasionally interjecting his tidbits and facts into Egon's lecture.

About an hour later, however, things have...definitely changed up a little.]

Ray. [Egon stares down at Amanita, holding her gently in his arms. The mushroom crab makes a chittering noise.] The fungi think your hair looks nice, and they want to--

[Spengler trails off, still staring at Amanita. Ray glances over at Egon, surprised.] Want to...?

[No reply. Ray lets out a groan, sprawling across his seat.]

Spengs, I'm upset. Why won't the mushrooms talk to me like they talk to you?

They love me more. Maybe if you spent as much time cultivating spores as I did...you'd learn.

[It's amazing neither of them have died yet from their stupid science shenanigans.]

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[With a final reproachful look at Egon, Kirby gently shepherds her children into a hug- taking care not to startle the shyer one. She already loves them both.]

You know, Egon, it'd be nice if we still had the PKE meter so we could check that-

[And then Egon has his little freak-out, and any trace of sarcastic bitterness is gone in a second. Venkman rushes over and puts an arm around Egon's shoulders, trying to keep him upright.]

Hey- shit, are you alright? [He half turns his head to say over his shoulder:] Ray, can you get me something to- I dunno, cover his hands?

[Ray looks absolutely puzzled by the request, and spends a minute looking around the room for something.

He eventually moves, seemingly to take his own shirt off before he just... starts staring at the wall.]

They're coming.

[Why did you ask Ray for help.]

[Egon's Mimikyu squeaks in a way that sort of sounds like "kyu-chu", or...something. Trying to say Pikachu? Whatever. He glances towards his dads (?) and makes an inquisitive noise towards Kirby, as if asking her about them.

Egon shakes his head as if to clear it, grimacing and holding onto Venkman. After a minute or two, he straightens up and says:]

I'm alright. I think that got it to stop a little--

[And then Ray catches his attention, and he frowns.]

...Ray, we're still on camera, please keep your shirt on.

[Kirby gestures from one Ghostbuster to the next. That one is her trainer, he's ok. A little vain and stupid, but he has his good qualities, and treats her with respect. That one is the nicest. He's very sweet and gentle. He's the one who cares for Annie- you'll meet Annie soon, of course.

And that one... if he ever does anything to upset either of you, you come tell her right away. She'll take care of him.

After that, she laughs- a scratchy, strange noise.

As for Venkman, he looks like he regetted asking for Ray's help as soon as the words left his mouth. He pulls out a Pokeball and lets out his Alolan Vulpix.]

Okay- Jodie, sweetheart, can you grab me a pair of gloves from my bag?

[Jodie bristles a bit- asking her to fetch, like a common dog!- but she takes a good look at the situation and decides to follow through. She trots off and comes back with the gloves in her mouth.]

Thank you. Alright- [Venkman helps Egon put the gloves on.] Is that any better, or is it about the same?

[The Mimikyu hears her brother say "kyu-chu" and cheerfully repeats it a few times. Is that what they are?? She likes it!

Ray continues staring at the wall.]

I needed to cover your hands, Egie.

[With his shirt, I guess.

He's silent for another minute, still staring, before:]

Do you think they can sense my fear?

[The Mimikyu nods slowly, gazing at each of the Ghostbusters in turn. Wow! He's only five minutes old, and he's learning so much already. He skitters away to go look at Ray, the nice one.

It's too bad that Ray is tripping hard as hell right now.

Egon turns his hands over, watching them for a few moments. He seems satisfied and nods, turning to Venkman.]

Thank you. [He places a hand on Venkman's shoulder and grips it tightly.] Now I can hold you again.

[He then pauses, casting a glance towards the Mimikyu standing right behind Ray.]

Maybe you should try being scared, see if anything reacts?

[Ok. One crisis fixed. Venkman lifts Egon's hand and kisses it lightly.

... Another crisis, incoming. Venkman winces.]

Ray, nothing's gonna hurt ya. Please don't try to freak them out though. [He glances down at Kirby and tries to get her attention.] Kirby, you, uh- you wanna go chill with your kids somewhere else? Alone? Away from people for a bit?

[Kirby stares up at him for a moment, her false head lolling to one side. She looks from Egon to Ray, and seems to understand. She reaches a shadow hand out towards the Mimikyu who wandered to Ray's side, and chitters at him to come with her- she has someone she wants her children to meet.]

I'm already really scared, Spengs...

[Too late boys he takes notice of the Mimikyu.

He stares at the baby for a good moment before he just... bends down and gently hugs the baby.]

You're the only one who truly understands me...

[Egon brightens a little, pulling on his gloves so that they'd be more snug. He starts making his way over to Ray in an attempt to comfort him.]

Ray, what--

[The Mimikyu is about to go with his mother when Ray leans down and hugs him. He stiffens up, unsure of what is happening. Why is the nice man suddenly trapping him in his arms? He can't move and he doesn't like it! He lets out a distressed noise, swatting at Ray's face with his claws and trying to wiggle out of his arms. Everything is weird and scary!]

Ray, let go of the baby.

[Kirby chitters irritably, extending her tendrils and prying at Ray's arms to loosen his grip. She'll forgive him for this slight, since he's obviously not well and he's not acting out of malice, but she's still not happy about it.

Jodie, meanwhile, is just watching all this happen with bemusement. This... isn't normal Ray behavior. She approaches him slowly, sniffing at him. Why does he smell like a Parasect?]

[Ray sniffles slightly, and lets go of the baby.]

I'm sorry, you're all beautiful. You and your clones.

[He looks at Jodie and just... gently pats her on the head.]

Hi.

[The Mimikyu skitters away and practically collides back with his mother, trying to hide behind her.

Egon manages to make his way over to Ray, kneels down, and just...places a hand on his shoulder? After a brief pause, he says:]

Hello.

[Another pause.]

Don't be afraid. They are here to help.

[Kirby lovingly caresses her son with her tendrils, reassuring him that Ray didn't mean any harm and he's just... "Sick", right now. He'll be back to normal soon.

She then ushers her children out of the room.]

Who's here to... yeah, ok, sure. Nothing's wrong, Ray, just cuddle the fox and don't freak out.

[Jodie yips- hey, she's fine with the headpats, but she didn't sign up to be hugged, that'll mess up her fur!

Meanwhile, Kirby leads her children to Venkman's bag. While the Ghostbusters are distracted, she digs into the bottom of the bag, pries out a large stone, and skitters away to a half open closet. She shepherds the newborns into the closet and shuts the door behind her.

The rock stirs.]

[Sorry Jodie, Ray is going to gently hold you now. In the very least it's a weak grip.

He looks up at Egon.]

Do you think they'll help us by turning us into ghosts?

[So... kill them.]

[The Mimikyu makes a quiet, curious noise, still clinging closely to Kirby. He tilts his sagging head to the side and blinks, staying a safe distance away from the rock.

Egon, in the meanwhile, seems to perk up a little at Ray's comment.]

It would be an interesting experience to become a ghost. Perhaps we should ask them to do so? [A pause.] Let's do it.

[Egon, no.]

[Jodie doesn't look happy, but she tolerates being held for now. She eyes Venkman with a look that makes it very clear that she'll be making him brush her fur back into perfection later.]

Ok, first of all, still can't die in this dimension. Second of all, please don't TRY to die in this dimension.

[Kirby reassures her son, gently chittering. This is someone very important, though you can't let the humans know about him.

A purple haze wafts out from the stone, slowly forming a more solid form. The Spiritomb stares down at the baby Mimikyu, and makes a soft noise of delight. Purple tendrils reach out for them.

Kirby takes one of the tendrils in her own. This, she says, is your father.]

But what if I wanna, Venkie? What then?

[Please save Venkman.

Ray's Mimikyu, meanwhile, is estatic to meet her dad. She makes a delighted hissing sounds and instantly goes to wrap her shadow arms around the rock.

Hi dad!!! She loves you.]

If you jump off a cliff, do the lemmings follow....

[He trails off, frowning and knitting his hands together. That's not right, is it? What was the saying, again...?]

Don't dead people become Pokémon in this universe? We could see if Ray could become a Pokémon by means of death.

[Meanwhile in non-crisis land, Michael shimmies behind Kirby, but carefully watches the rock swirl and take form. Tentatively, he reaches out a single tendril in greetings towards the Spirtomb.

But he thought he only had three dads...?]

[Your dad situation is complicated, Kirby explains. You have Secret Dad, who is your biological dad. You have your Trainer Dad, who will be raising you. And you have your other two dads who will... also raise you, but they're not as important. The two of you are lucky- by living here, you'll have me, your secret dad, and two extra dads to care for you. Your other siblings will likely only have their trainer around, and no extra dads.

The Spiritomb listens to this explanation quietly, instead focusing on hugging one child and gently holding the shyer one.]

Please no attempted murder while tripping. We're still on a livestream.

Do either of you remember how long this high is supposed to last? I gotta know how long until you're both back to your normal levels of stupid.

[The Mimikyu is curious at this. "Secret" dad? Why's he a secret? She knows he's here and he's holding her, after all!

Ray looks confused, and starts counting on his hands]

Ffffff... forever?

[......Woah. That's a lot of parents. The Mimikyu falls silent, watching his sibling. He partially agrees with her, but doesn't want to actually voice that out loud. He does appreciate being Held, though.

Egon also frowns, scratching his head and thinking it over.]

Well, considering the half-time of the.... [A pause.] ...chemical...I...believe this should end in...five minutes?

[He checks his watch and just. Stares at it for a few moments before shaking his head.]

I'm not sure.

Cool. I get to choose between five minutes and a fucking eternity. Personally, I think I'd really like to have only five more minutes of trying to keep you guys alive, but I have a feeling that's not gonna be the case.

[The Spiritomb answers- he's traveling with your other dads, but they don't know it yet, and he's not sure how they'll react when they find out- he's not sure if he wants to be caught, but he also doesn't want to be sent back to the Ruins. He wants to travel the world...]

You never believe m-

[Ray suddenly stops, and a horrified look grows on his face.]

Guys.

I have to tell you something. I think I'm going to die if I don't say this.

[Ray spaces out for about a minute, before he continues.]

I'm in love with you guys.

[The Mimikyu pats the rock. She's sure her dads will love her! They love her, after all, so why would they hate her dad?]

[Michael, on the other hand, is more than inclined to keep his purple dad a secret. He doesn't want anything bad happening to any dads. Avoiding conflict is the way to go, right?

...At Ray's comment, however, he stares directly at him. Something at the back of his mind gently reminds him that they're still on camera, but right now he's way too out of it to really comment on it. He holds Ray's hands and says with the gravity of an elected government official:]

Words are incapable of expressing my undying love for you despite the fact that everything seems to be melting around us.

[...Oh my God, his voice is cracking for some reason?]

[Venkman rolls his eyes a little, and unlike these two idiots, he's very aware of the camera. But trying to explain that to them is too much of a chore right now, so he just settles for kind of muttering under his breath-]

I love you too.

... Egon, please sit down.

[Spiritomb explains that he's not worried they'll hate him, exactly, it just feels like it'll be awkward at this point to try to announce his presence after several weeks of traveling with them, and he's just. Avoiding that for as long as possible.]

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[006] - video (cw: drugs?)

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