ohmyarceus | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME

I - Network
This Phantump that has chosen to follow me is an extraordinary specimen. The spirit itself seems to be a Class-3 floating vapor, with a non-defined body and small, stump-like appendages that resemble arms. According to this PokéDex device, these Pokémon are stumps possessed by the spirits of children who died in the forest--an example of a Class-5 possession. The childish nature of the specimen I have on hand may confirm this description.

Of course, it could be that the spirit possessing this stump is not actually human in origin, but various folklore and myths that have been passed down over the years have lead people to believe that these Pokémon truly contain the spirits of the dead--perhaps a way to cope with the loss of a child. However, if the spirit is, in fact, human in origin, this leads me to speculate on the separation between what we categorize as Pokémon and what we categorize as man.

My apologizes, I should have introduced myself. My name is Dr. Egon Spengler.

[Then, after a few minutes--]

I study ghosts.

II - in the tall grass

[Egon has been sitting in front of this Phantump for hours, notepad and pencil in hand. In front of the Phantump are a variety of items--a piece of paper and a pencil, Egon's PokéDex, an open bag of chips, and a handful of letter magnets purchased from the local PokéMart. If you get closer, you might hear him say very slowly--]

What is your name? Again, you may chose to use any of the tools at your disposal.

[The Phantump considers this question for a moment, tilting its head to the side as it hovers over its options. After a moment or two, it swoops down, seemingly reaching for the pencil. Egon leans forward, hand poised to take notes. The Phantump holds up the pencil for a moment before poking it through one of its eyeholes, giggling.

Egon frowns, a bit disappointed.]

Perhaps that question is too advanced for a Class-3 floating vapor. Let's try something different.

Edited 2018-12-21 04:05 (UTC)

[Without any sort of prompting, a stranger approaches Egon in excitement]

That's an easy one! You just suggest a name and see how they react to it!

[He crouches down next to the Phantump.]

Hey little buddy, you look like a Gonzo.

[Did it work?]

[The Phantump considers this for a moment before carefully turning the pencil on itself and drawing angry eyebrows on its mask. It then tosses the pencil to the ground in scorn. Egon pauses, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards.]

Not Gonzo, then.

[Getting to his feet, he tucks his pencil behind his ear and places his notebook in his pocket. After a pause, he picks up the bag of chips, as well.]

The subject didn't answer any of my questions, nor did it seem interested in answering them. If I only had the tools I use at home, I could utilize a different approach.

Aww I thought for sure they'd at least take that better.

[Ray rests his chin in his hands, examining the now angry Phantump.]

We've been working on this one device that allows you to translate ghosts before I woke up here. Maybe I could rig something similar up so that we can understand what they're trying to say?

[Egon raises an eyebrow, scratching his chin. He extends a chip towards the Phantumb to see if it reacts, and it carefully takes it in both hands, staring at it with a curious expression.]

We could try using the PokéDex. It already operates by receiving the cries of different Pokémon and retrieving data, so it would be relatively simple to rewire it.

[He pauses, watching the Phantumb promptly crumble the potato chip in both hands.]

You study ghosts, then, as well?

Oh! That's a good idea.

[Ray is fucking already taking his PokéDex and a screwdriver out to take it apart.]

Not to much the studying aspect, but I work with ghosts! I guess I sort of study Slimer too, at least studying how to keep him from sliming Pete's stuff every day.

[Huh. This guy seems eager to dig his hands into work. Egon eats a potato chip, watching Ray work. He makes a mental note to purchase a set of small tools the next time he's at the PokéMart. The Phantump lets out a curious noise, floating over to Ray and hovering over his shoulder.]

Slimer? A ghost, you mean?

[Who's Pete? Sounds familiar.]

Edited 2018-12-21 05:25 (UTC)

Yeah! He was a bit rude when we first met him, but I think he just wanted a friend.

[Ray removes the shell of the 'Dex and ponders the inner wiring, tapping the screwdriver to his chin.]

Wow, I've never seen anything like this before. This chip is definitely beyond any tech I've seen back in New York.

[He turns to this complete stranger to show him the inside of the Pokedex.]

Does this look familiar to you at all?

[Egon raises an eyebrow.]

It would be an enormous asset to my work to be able to study a willing undead subject up close. Most specters I have encountered have acted either maliciously or have at least attempted to cause bodily harm towards my...coworkers and I.

[is...that not...also acting maliciously???? anyways Egon leans over to take a look at the guts of the PokéDex, frowning slightly.]

...No. I've never encountered any sort of technology like this before. [A pause. He wipes his non-potato chipped hand on his coat before extending his hand to take the device from the stranger.] May I?

Ha, that's exactly what Egon said about keeping Slimer!

[Ray hands over the PokéDex.]

I'm sorry to hear that though. You know, if there are that many ghosts attacking you I can help out! Obviously, I can't do much here but I have a lot of experience with ghosts.

[As Ray talks, he awkwardly tries to pet Phantump in a way to make peace with it.]

[Egon is about to ask a question about this "Egon" person when he gets handed the PokéDex, which is arguably much more interesting. Everyone is from different worlds here--many other people probably know someone named Egon. It's a common name.

The Phantump hesitates a little bit upon being touched, but then bumps its head against the stranger's hand, seemingly pleased for now.]

Oh, we have the equipment to deal with ghosts back in my universe. I have several degrees in parapsychology, myself. It's just difficult to gain new knowledge when many of these ghosts are not keen on having an informative and thought-provoking discussion.

[Egon pokes at one of the wires with the tip of his pencil, and the PokéDex promptly sparks at him. He jumps back a little, then stares even more intently at the device.]

The nodes that have been wired in are completely alien. [A pause.] We'll have to run tests, see what purpose each device has towards the overall function of the PokéDex.

[or they could...do research...but what's the fun in that]

[He did it! Ray smiles and continues petting the Phantump as he continues.]

Really? I have a degree in parapsychology too, actually! It took us years to be able to gather enough material to be able to bu-

[And that spark is enough of a shock to get him distracted for a bit.]

Should we go to a hotel for the test? I don't think the police would be happy if they found out we burned down the entire field.

[The hotel however can suffer]

[Huh! What an interesting coincidence. Two guys who happen to both have degrees in parapsychology.]

I have to say, it'll be interesting to interact with someone who isn't a Ghostbuster and has a scientific interest in the unnatural world.

[Egon nods. The corners of his mouth twitch up into a small smile. His voice remains the same tone as before, but his eyes seem to gleam with excitement. He immediately begins to gather his things in his arms.]

Yes--besides, we can control the conditions better if we're indoors.

[the ghostbusters get arrested for destroying yet another hotel]

[Ray is excited at the idea of running tests with this nice stranger, but something catches him in a thought.]

Ghostbuster...?

[He jumps up.]

You- Hey wait a minute!

You're from the vacuum cleaner company?!

[Egon pauses halfway through rolling up the bag of potato chips. He stares at the stranger for a moment, quirking an eyebrow in confusion. That. Caught him off guard.]

Vacuum cleaner company?

[There's no hiding the bemusement in his voice. After a moment, he shakes his head, twisting his mouth to the side.]

...No. Absolutely not. [A pause.] What do ghosts have to do with vacuum cleaners?

I really tried to get the copywrite in time, but I guess the company saw that it was open after we got famous and took it before I remembered to do that.

It really wasn't a pleasant wake up call to get a cease and desist order for using the term "Ghostbuster" because someone else got to it first.

[Ray maybe you should... go back to the bit where this man said he was a ghostbuster and not affiliated with the vacuum cleaner company.]

[Egon blinks. Before he can ask any further questions, however, the Phantump swoops over and snatches the bag of chips out of his hands. It starts crinkling the bag, seemingly intrigued by the noise. It giggles, turning the bag upside down and inadvertently dumping out all the chips.

Egon winces, seeing all of his perfectly good snacks rain down onto the dirt.]

Maybe we should get started on this translation device. Those chips cost me about 300...whatever currency they use here.

[He doesn't want any more snacks being ruined!! He hastily throws the rest of his stuff into his bag.]

[Ray stifles a laugh as he watches the Phantump. Dang it's a good thing Peter isn't here, he would probably hate this cute little guy.]

I think they're called Pokédollars here. It seems like this world is completely obsessed with these little guys.

[He puts a hand on the stranger's shoulder, still amused by this whole situation.]

I can buy you some more snacks if you want. We're probably going to need them anyway. I imagine it's going to take us awhile to rig something up for the little guy so we might be there for awhile.

Egon Spengler | Ghostbusters

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