[Ray, meanwhile, was spending his time doing some research on Pokemon, going through the Pokedex and reading other people’s posts detailing Pokemon. Since he arrived here he was absolutely fascinated in the different types of Pokemon and their general behaviors. He had told Egon about it multiple times already, but the fact that they can study and befriend so many benevolent ghosts in this dimension has him over the moon. He loves Slimer with all his heart, but it was kind of sad that he was one of the few friendly ghosts they’ve really encountered at their home dimension. Here, however, there were so many supernatural beings who adore interaction with human, and many of them are ghosts! This will definitely give them a leg up in ghost research!
… Okay most of the reason why he loves this place is that he gets to befriend supernatural beings, but the research is also important!
He was currently laying on the hotel bed writing up a small entry about his Gastly’s behavior in comparison to the average wild Gastly he’s come across when Kölliker goes up to him. Unlike Egon, Ray is a lot more easily distracted with the small cell wants attention, and he drops his journal.]
Hey, Ko!
[Ray proceeds to pick her up.]
How’s my favorite sentient single-celled organism doing?
[Kölliker wiggles in Ray's grasp to make herself more comfortable, then lets out a delighted burble. There's the feeling of brain static and random emotions in Ray's mind as she tries to telepathically communicate back to him. Ray can definitely tell that she's happy, to say the least.
Egon looks up from his work, tilting his head to the side.]
She's the only sentient single-celled organism we know, Ray.
[He means that in a teasing manner, of course--he loves Kölliker with all his heart, even if he doesn't always show it. He knows that she knows. That's the beauty of psychic communication.]
[Kölliker blinks when Ray says that, burbling again. With all the mental grace and volume of a psychic toddler, a voice shouts with incredible enthusiasm back into Ray's mind--
I'm baby!
The sudden psychic interference is enough to make Egon jolt back for a second as he receives the message a millisecond later. His pencil clatters onto the floor as he turns to stare at Kölliker and Ray, eyes wide with shock.
He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. His eyes dart between the baby Pokémon and his partner as he grips the back of his chair. After a few moments, he tries again.]
[The video feed opens on a very, very exhausted-looking Venkman on a street corner. He looks a bit irritated at first, but it fades when he notices the tears, his brow furrowing in concern. And then Ray speaks up, and he sighs, shaking his head as a tired grin works its way onto his face.]
Thought we already established that when you got that pumpkin, Ray. Did you hatch another egg? Catch something new? ... Get a real, human child somehow?
[Egon shoves his face in next to Ray. This is probably the most excited Venkman's ever seen him, besides that one time he found a rare and endangered fungus growing in his own mushroom farm.]
Even better. Kölliker has said her first words--"I'm baby".
[He tugs his hand a little closer to the camera so Venkman can see the Solosis nibbling on his hand right now. She burbles and looks at the screen with curiosity, and although Peter can't hear her, Ray and Egon definitely can.]
[Just. Blinks. Stares at Egon. Stares at Ray. Stares at The Baby.
The grin tugging at his mouth gets wider, and he snorts with laughter, half-covering his face with his hand.]
God, you're both turning into cutesy domestic parent types. I love it- I knew Ray had it in him, but you, Egon- this is too good! Hold on-
[Venkman ducks into a nearby alleyway, further out of view or earshot of passerby. Old habits die hard, and even if there's no paparazzi who'd care about their relationships, Venkman feels a little more secure without the chance of people listening in on him chiding his partners for being sappy.]
Ok. So she's learned how to say "I'm baby." She's missing the "a", but that's still pretty good for a giant cell! What prompted it?
Nah, just dealing with my own little bastard Pokemon.
Still, that's... kind of amazing. Her first words, and she was answering a question, not just parroting what you had to say. That means she had to contextualize the question "who is a baby", know that it was directed to her, know that she's a "baby", and was able to refer to herself in the first person, all in one go.
[He taps at his chin, thinking.]
Sure, some of that could be explained by her communicating psychically, but it's still pretty intense for the first words for something not even 2-weeks old. That's some major psychological development.
[Sometimes Venkman knows what the fuck he's talking about. Not often, but sometimes.]
It is quite impressive, isn't it? I've been bringing her with me to the Pokémon Center every other day in the hopes that she could be exposed to other people's thinking patterns as well as Ray and I's. I, for one, would consider us to be successful if she continues to develops in a healthy manner and gains more knowledge every day.
[Growing bored, Kölliker removes herself from Egon's hand and goes to nudge herself against Ray's shoulder, extending a feeling of curiosity and content towards him. Egon adjusts his glasses, looking over at her. He would be beaming right now, if not for the restrictions of his face.
Still, there's the matter of what Venkman said earlier....]
Bond giving you trouble again? You should consider training her more to strengthen your bond with her. [Bond's bond.]
Hey, I've been training Bond just fine- really, I have to stop her from fighting stuff more often than not. But nah, she's not the real problem.
[Venkman runs a hand through his hair, sighing.]
So, it turns out this city has a problem with Pokemon vandals- literally, Pokemon who are vandals. There's a whole gang of them. There's a cash reward offered for anyone who catches one and trains it themselves, taking it off the city's hands- so obviously, I tried doing that.
I caught one, alright. Problem is, I have no idea where she went. And she trashed my hotel room before she disappeared, and I didn't get the reward money first, so not only do I need her to get paid, but I'll need to use pretty much all that cash to pay for the damages!
... So, yeah. I've been looking around for her everywhere- or at least one of her other gang members to catch. So that's how my day is going.
[His partners get to play with a psychic baby and Venkman hunts down a delinquent turtle]
[The corner of Egon's mouth twitches upwards as he pats Kölliker on the head. A single tear rolls down his face. These babies are making him feel a lot more in the past few weeks than he has over the past thirty-something years of his life.]
It is interesting how Pokémon are able to communicate with each other so effectively to the point where they can organize and systematically vandalize property. This points to a high level of intelligence present in most, if not all of these Pokémon. Perhaps if you treat them as you would, say, another human being, you would be more effective in thinking like them and catching them.
[Just a really small, turtle-shaped human being.]
Do the Pokémon seem to have a specific target in mind, or do they merely do this for their own amusement?
Seems mostly like an amusement thing. They do trash the police station a lot, though. Also, the one I caught spray-painted "ACAB" everywhere. So they've got a big "fuck the police" attitude goin' on, which I respect. But not when it means I don't get paid.
Yeah, Ray. Maybe I'll do that after I find the bastard.
... Oh my God. Spengs, you're crying? I wasn't even sure you could.
[Sounds kind of like she's asking if she's their baby. Egon pauses for a moment, wiping the tear from his face.]
Perhaps if you express this attitude more openly, they will be drawn to you, and it will be easier to capture them. [A pause.] Also, contrary to popular belief, I am perfectly capable of expressing my emotions.
[Said in a monotonous voice.]
Ray, perhaps it was your enthusiasm that led to her being eager to communicate with you in a way you would comprehend. In a few weeks, using Kölliker as a translator, we may even be able to communicate with our other Pokémon.
[This must sound really weird from Venkman's perspective.
Oh, I hadn't thought of that! Wow, that'd be great! We wouldn't just have to rely on second-hand information about Pokemon here if Ko translated for us!
Is she still talking to you guys? I can't hear it.
[And odd, lopsided smile appears on Venkman's face- something genuine and warm, both things that aren't particularly common for him. He looks down the alleyway again- old habits really do die hard- and speaks up, his voice noticeably softer.]
I know, Egie. I wouldn't've been in love with you since undergrad if I didn't know that.
She is. I assume that telepathic communication cannot be transmitted digitally.
[Egon opens his mouth to reply to Ray when Peter says that. He pauses, staring at the screen. Kölliker reaches out a figurative hand in concern. She doesn't yet have the words to ask about her dad yet, but she's taking in the fact that this loud baby box is making glasses funny dad feel the same way whenever he talks to happy good dad at night.
There's a lot he can say right now, but he feels it would sound ingenuine. He settles on the nostalgia factor to try and convey his fondness.]
You know, I wonder where all of us would be if we hadn't met each other during college. [He glances towards Ray.] Or if we'd never expressed any romantic attraction to each other.
[Ray wraps his arms around Kölliker, not unlike a stuffed animal.]
God, I don't even want to think about that. You know that I didn't have a whole lot of friends in college before I met you guy. There weren't enough people out there who'd be willing to put up with my love of the supernatural and monsters like you guys do.
[He frowns thoughtfully, before he smirks.]
I'm sure if we never clicked I would have done something really boring like become a used cars salesman or something like that!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ghoststanning) wrote2018-12-26 08:12 pm
no subject
… Okay most of the reason why he loves this place is that he gets to befriend supernatural beings, but the research is also important!
He was currently laying on the hotel bed writing up a small entry about his Gastly’s behavior in comparison to the average wild Gastly he’s come across when Kölliker goes up to him. Unlike Egon, Ray is a lot more easily distracted with the small cell wants attention, and he drops his journal.]
Hey, Ko!
[Ray proceeds to pick her up.]
How’s my favorite sentient single-celled organism doing?
no subject
Egon looks up from his work, tilting his head to the side.]
She's the only sentient single-celled organism we know, Ray.
[He means that in a teasing manner, of course--he loves Kölliker with all his heart, even if he doesn't always show it. He knows that she knows. That's the beauty of psychic communication.]
no subject
You know what I mean!
[He smiles at the weird brain static and lays on back, lifting Kölliker into the air as he does so.]
Who's a baby?
no subject
I'm baby!
The sudden psychic interference is enough to make Egon jolt back for a second as he receives the message a millisecond later. His pencil clatters onto the floor as he turns to stare at Kölliker and Ray, eyes wide with shock.
He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. His eyes dart between the baby Pokémon and his partner as he grips the back of his chair. After a few moments, he tries again.]
Did she--?
no subject
He stares at her for a few good moments before turning to Egon.]
You... you heard that too?
no subject
Yes.
[He stares at Kölliker, who's now somewhat curious about the two of them. What did she do? Are dads okay? She burbles again and repeats--]
I'm baby!
Yes. You are baby.
[Is he smiling???]
no subject
[Ray meanwhile is openly crying already. Is this what parenthood feels like? He loves this.]
You're a wonderful baby.
[He then turns to Egon, tears streaming down his face.]
Egon we... we gotta tell Pete about this.
no subject
Call Venkman.
[Kölliker floats forward and nibbles on his finger, like a small dog teething. Spengler feels a surge of pride as he watches her.]
You have reached an incredible stage in your development. I want you to know that I am incredibly proud of you.
[All of this is said in a flat tone, of course, but Kölliker looks up at him and burbles happily. Ray can hear her say, a little more quietly--]
Baby.
no subject
Honestly it takes him a few tries to do it because his eyes are really blurry from the tears, but he eventually sets up a video chat with him.
Ray, naturally, knows just what to say.]
Venkie I'm a dad!
[Perfect.]
no subject
Thought we already established that when you got that pumpkin, Ray. Did you hatch another egg? Catch something new? ... Get a real, human child somehow?
no subject
Even better. Kölliker has said her first words--"I'm baby".
[He tugs his hand a little closer to the camera so Venkman can see the Solosis nibbling on his hand right now. She burbles and looks at the screen with curiosity, and although Peter can't hear her, Ray and Egon definitely can.]
loud baby?
no subject
The grin tugging at his mouth gets wider, and he snorts with laughter, half-covering his face with his hand.]
God, you're both turning into cutesy domestic parent types. I love it- I knew Ray had it in him, but you, Egon- this is too good! Hold on-
[Venkman ducks into a nearby alleyway, further out of view or earshot of passerby. Old habits die hard, and even if there's no paparazzi who'd care about their relationships, Venkman feels a little more secure without the chance of people listening in on him chiding his partners for being sappy.]
Ok. So she's learned how to say "I'm baby." She's missing the "a", but that's still pretty good for a giant cell! What prompted it?
no subject
[That's really concerning Venkman??
But oh well baby talk!]
I was just playing with her! I guess she got really excited when I ask her "who's a baby" after all this time and finally responded!
no subject
Nah, just dealing with my own little bastard Pokemon.
Still, that's... kind of amazing. Her first words, and she was answering a question, not just parroting what you had to say. That means she had to contextualize the question "who is a baby", know that it was directed to her, know that she's a "baby", and was able to refer to herself in the first person, all in one go.
[He taps at his chin, thinking.]
Sure, some of that could be explained by her communicating psychically, but it's still pretty intense for the first words for something not even 2-weeks old. That's some major psychological development.
[Sometimes Venkman knows what the fuck he's talking about. Not often, but sometimes.]
no subject
[Growing bored, Kölliker removes herself from Egon's hand and goes to nudge herself against Ray's shoulder, extending a feeling of curiosity and content towards him. Egon adjusts his glasses, looking over at her. He would be beaming right now, if not for the restrictions of his face.
Still, there's the matter of what Venkman said earlier....]
Bond giving you trouble again? You should consider training her more to strengthen your bond with her. [Bond's bond.]
no subject
[Ray happily moves to cuddle Kölliker, nuzzling against her cytoplasm a little.]
Maybe you should try being nicer to your Pokemon, Venkie!
[He's just... assuming that's the problem because he knows he's a dick to Slimer.]
no subject
[Venkman runs a hand through his hair, sighing.]
So, it turns out this city has a problem with Pokemon vandals- literally, Pokemon who are vandals. There's a whole gang of them. There's a cash reward offered for anyone who catches one and trains it themselves, taking it off the city's hands- so obviously, I tried doing that.
I caught one, alright. Problem is, I have no idea where she went. And she trashed my hotel room before she disappeared, and I didn't get the reward money first, so not only do I need her to get paid, but I'll need to use pretty much all that cash to pay for the damages!
... So, yeah. I've been looking around for her everywhere- or at least one of her other gang members to catch. So that's how my day is going.
[His partners get to play with a psychic baby and Venkman hunts down a delinquent turtle]
no subject
[The corner of Egon's mouth twitches upwards as he pats Kölliker on the head. A single tear rolls down his face. These babies are making him feel a lot more in the past few weeks than he has over the past thirty-something years of his life.]
It is interesting how Pokémon are able to communicate with each other so effectively to the point where they can organize and systematically vandalize property. This points to a high level of intelligence present in most, if not all of these Pokémon. Perhaps if you treat them as you would, say, another human being, you would be more effective in thinking like them and catching them.
[Just a really small, turtle-shaped human being.]
Do the Pokémon seem to have a specific target in mind, or do they merely do this for their own amusement?
no subject
[Gosh he's gonna start crying again he loves their children so much.]
Isn't that right, Ko? You're our baby!
no subject
Yeah, Ray. Maybe I'll do that after I find the bastard.
... Oh my God. Spengs, you're crying? I wasn't even sure you could.
no subject
[Sounds kind of like she's asking if she's their baby. Egon pauses for a moment, wiping the tear from his face.]
Perhaps if you express this attitude more openly, they will be drawn to you, and it will be easier to capture them. [A pause.] Also, contrary to popular belief, I am perfectly capable of expressing my emotions.
[Said in a monotonous voice.]
Ray, perhaps it was your enthusiasm that led to her being eager to communicate with you in a way you would comprehend. In a few weeks, using Kölliker as a translator, we may even be able to communicate with our other Pokémon.
no subject
[This must sound really weird from Venkman's perspective.
Oh, I hadn't thought of that! Wow, that'd be great! We wouldn't just have to rely on second-hand information about Pokemon here if Ko translated for us!
no subject
[And odd, lopsided smile appears on Venkman's face- something genuine and warm, both things that aren't particularly common for him. He looks down the alleyway again- old habits really do die hard- and speaks up, his voice noticeably softer.]
I know, Egie. I wouldn't've been in love with you since undergrad if I didn't know that.
no subject
[Egon opens his mouth to reply to Ray when Peter says that. He pauses, staring at the screen. Kölliker reaches out a figurative hand in concern. She doesn't yet have the words to ask about her dad yet, but she's taking in the fact that this loud baby box is making glasses funny dad feel the same way whenever he talks to happy good dad at night.
There's a lot he can say right now, but he feels it would sound ingenuine. He settles on the nostalgia factor to try and convey his fondness.]
You know, I wonder where all of us would be if we hadn't met each other during college. [He glances towards Ray.] Or if we'd never expressed any romantic attraction to each other.
[Kölliker watches with intense curiosity.]
no subject
God, I don't even want to think about that. You know that I didn't have a whole lot of friends in college before I met you guy. There weren't enough people out there who'd be willing to put up with my love of the supernatural and monsters like you guys do.
[He frowns thoughtfully, before he smirks.]
I'm sure if we never clicked I would have done something really boring like become a used cars salesman or something like that!
[Haha...]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)