17827/Catching Up With The Antsy Doctor

Catching Up With The Antsy Doctor
Date of Scene:	01 May 2024
Location:	Cafe Lalo
Synopsis:	Hank and Mike meet up for breakfast to catch up.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Hank Pym

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Michael Hannigan has posed:
It is very rarely that Mike gets up in the early morning willingly. His hours tend to be more favored to the evening hours which lead to odd bedtimes.

But today is different and he currently finds himself securing a table to the farthest side of Cafe Lalo nearest the artwork plastered upon the wall. As he's secured the table, all that's left to do is wait for the one he invited over.

Hank Pym has posed:
The early hour explains how the musician might have missed the tiny ant flying in. With a twisting of space, particles and his own volume, Hank Pym is sitting across from him. the growth is sudden enough to resemble teleportation. In fact Ted has used the technique to deliver a murderous uppercut. this time he nods to Mike and takes a menu from the holder.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
It is true. Mike did not see the ant come in. Despite knowing what Hank can do, he generally supposed Hank would walk through the door like he did the past few times. But as there is suddenly Hank, Mike's head turns quickly, expression betraying a bit of surprise.

But at least he didn't fall out of his seat or scream.

Although, a reaction like that may have helped someone else avoid the uppercut previously described.

"Morning Hank." Mike greets after his brain catches up to the change. He smiles as he reaches over to grab the other menu. "Hope the food is as you remember it. If not better."

As the server comes up to do the drink order he glances over to Hank. "Mimosas?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym says, "Mimosas... mim-O-sas. No alcohol for me. I'm starting a depression cycle soon. I'm sorry I am late... I wasn't going to come. I'm not used to people yet. Better than when I last saw you. No flint knife in hand this time. No I was going to cancel but I'm trying. I met an exceptionally engaging lady named Selina Kyle last night at the Club. She was teaching me to flirt again. She greatly reduced my levels of anxiety. Oh, club soda for me please and the Moroccan omelet, dry."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
To the refusal of the mimosas suggestion. Mike nods, looking to the server. "Coffee for me." He adds in, " and a Cranberry scone."

As the server moves off, Mike looks back over to Hank. "If this is still a bit much, we could get the food to go and find some place quieter. I mainly picked here because you liked this place so much before you left."

The musician moves the menu over to rest it back in its holder. "So, overall did you enjoy the club?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym shakes his head. "No. I never liked that club. Only the food. I brought a book but Ms. Kyle was intent on not being ignored. Before I recalled her name from one of the damned galas of Janet's. I thought she was a sex worker. I was glad she wasn't. I was enjoying the talk. She set the bar high for future conversations. Just warning you."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike pauses, thinking about clubs that serve food. "Oh. THAT club." There's a pause before he nods. "Yes. They do have good food." He admits. "Usually the only time I end up going to one of their parties is when Wade gets an idea for a group costume.

He pauses to give a nod of thanks as the drinks are already set down. Simple orders, quick prep time.

"Last time around I ended up as Aramis. The year prior to that, Inigo Montoya."

There's a pause as he considers the scientist for a few moments. "So, you mentioned before that the general sense of time differs when you shrink down...I know it's been close to three years, but from your point of view. How long was it?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym shrugs. "No idea. I submerged myself in their routines. It was an excellent technique to manage my BPD. It was almost perfect, if you wanted to live the life of an ant. I was aware of work, sleep, work, sleep. Till the spiders attacked. An egg sack must have been hidden in my lab. It was brutal. We lost Foss and Cozette. Bo decided to mate finally, without his friends. My new ant is Balthazar. Taz. We won though."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Poor Foss and Cozette." Mike comments, frowning without a dose of humor to the statement. He did remember those two. They weren't around him as much as Bo but prior to Hank, sort of leaving, they had been more present when he visited the lab. He gives a curious look. "What's the name of Bo's mate?"

What?

Friends should know these things...

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym says, "He mated with the Queen. Just 'the Queen'. No point to sending flowers. She mated with him till he died. He said it was his time. You don't get to contradict them when they say that, be they cats, dogs or ants. I had given him injections to prevent the act for years but he was nearly thirty. The last year he could barely lift ten times his weight."

"They're ants, not humans or even mammals."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Bo's dead?" Mike responds.

He pauses.

"Well..."

"There are worst ways to go than that." He admits.

Like spiders.

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym says, "Yes. He would agree. I treated him like a pet too long. But he died as an ant. There are worse ways to die. Ants... never pushed me out of my company, or stole my daughter, or abandoned me. The problem with Ultron was I made him act human. I should have based him on an ant, like Bo or Balthazar."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Hmm."

There's little more to offer to that line of commentary. Nor does he wish to steer Pym down to those particular topics unnecessarily. Fortunately at that point there was reason to give pause as the server sets down the food before them. Giving an utterance of thanks to the waitress, he takes a sip of his coffee before glancing to the scone, and then Hank's omelet. "Food looks good."

Yes, even the scone. "...I missed having you around, Hank."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym sighs, taking in a deep breath of omelet. "I don't know why. I was a miserable bastard. I'm worse now. Just warning you. I am now drug free. there is that but I make no pretense to sociability or etiquette. I have lived without it or the protocols too long. I may never come back. Thank you for the invite, I barely remember this place. But I am trying to remember. thank you."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike shrugs, "Perhaps. But you're also a good guy, Hank. Even if you don't see it at times." He lifts up his mug, lifting it in a bit of a toast. "To trying."

The rest of the meal ends up being quiet. Sure there were plenty other potential conversation topics to explore considering the madness that results in three years. But, sometimes it's good to take things slow.

Welcome back, Hank.