18140/Antipathy

Antipathy
Date of Scene:	01 June 2024
Location:	VIP Lounge - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Tessa and Pym renew their old acquaintance.
Cast of Characters:	Hank Pym, Tessa

---

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym has found a quiet place in the VIP lounge. No secret meeting and such foolery going on. He sits with a sigh. Then he opens his man purse and extracts a text: The Effects of Gamma Radiation on exotic Particles. The author's name has bee torn off the dust jacket. Surely an accident. "They should have left the foreword to me. Huff..." At least here he'd avoid a bunch of gawkers and buffoons. And silly questions. He wouldn't be here really but the food is good and he is alone and therefore has no need to be sociable.

Socializing was for the idiots, to hedge their bets. He was Doctor Freaking Henry Pym.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa is doing her normal rounds throughout the VIP lounge. It isn't her favorite part of the job - Sebastian is far better at it - but it is a necessary, valuable part. Her hair is swept into a low, loose chignon, and she's wearing her daytime Court wear - a dark purple brocade corset with a modified black bustle skirt, matching purple heels with a distinct red sole, and sheer black seamed stockings. An intricate metal-work choker drapes around her neck and collarbone, and her nails are a shimmery dark purple. In combination with this, her makeup is mostly simple. A lip color just a shade or two darker than her natural, a muted, smokey eye shadow with perfectly crisp liner.

She comes to a stop behind Dr. Pym. He's chosen one of the best parts of the lounge - quiet, with good visibility. As public reading spots go, there are far worse choices. "Good afternoon, Dr. Pym. How have you been lately?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym looks up annoyance subsiding if not vanishing. "Good afternoon, Tessa. I am well. You needn't feel forced to make small talk with me. I usually find I am in excellent company left alone with my thoughts. I appreciate the gesture though. How are you? You are looking quite lovely today. Is that stone topaz? It's quite beautiful." He gives her stylish footwear a brief glance. When you are often very small, you tend to notice feet. They're the only way to recognize people at ant size, really.

"You have a very elegant mani-pedi as well."

Tessa has posed:
"Thank you Dr. Pym. May I sit?" Tessa gives him her polite smile. "Small talk is part of the game, but I genuinely do appreciate knowing more about our VIPs. It enables us to provide a better experience for all of you." She fans her fingers for closer inspection - although her shoes have a peep toe, it's not quite enough for her to wiggle her toes. "You are not far off. The stones on the sides are London blue topaz."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym nods. "My formicidean forays require some working knowledge of geology. Allow me." He marks his place and sets the book down to help Tessa into a chair. "So, here we are aggregate IQs in excess of 300 points. I usually come by because the food is good. Janet made me come when we were married. I hasten to add I do rarely find a fit conversationalist. I admire your negotiating these treacherous waters. There were time I thought Janet was in over her head here... I was wrong."

He gives the book a final look and decides to stick to conversation. "I'm... trying to be a nice person... but everyone is just so stupid," he says softly. "You can rarely have a conversation with someone who's IQ is not within 30 points of your own. The exceptionI found was Michael Hannigan, better known as Nick Drago -a musician. I find his lyrical musings quite engaging at times."

Tessa has posed:
It is rare to be among those with genius level intellects, true. "I am pleased you enjoy our food," Tessa says. "I quite enjoy knowing that my staff can cater to such a wide variety of palates and tastes. I suggest the green risotto and butter-poached cod from our spring to summer transitional menu, if you have not tried it yet. It is light but filling. I generally pair it with one of the lighter cocktails." She crosses her ankles as he helps her into the seat. "Janet is rather a force of a woman, is she not?" Her tone is light. "I am unable to imagine much that could put her in over her head. You, on the other hand... I rather believe you are most at home either at home or in your labs, and occasionally at the right conferences or meetings of scientific brilliance, yes?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym smirks, "Brilliance? I was mocked by my so called peers. Brilliance is very rare, even in the halls of learning. Most scientists I met hedge their bets by being negative, 'That's impossible, Henry! Are you insane?' Insane is a legal term. Not psychological and merely designates someone as not understanding the consequences of their actions. I usually do. Brilliance... There's Reed Richards, Dr. Doom, Bruce Banner, Lex Luthor and me, in no particular order. As for Janet... you are probably right now. But we all begin somewhere. I've had some questionable events in my memory due to various factors, including Bipolar disorder. I'm not saying anything more about my ex-wife or daughter. They seem to think I wronged them. They may be right. They are silent rendering the point mopot."

He smiles at Tessa. "I'm afraid my tastes are rather simple. I have an uncultured palate. My fashion sense is better than most would think. I see you're sporting a Chignon for example, your clothing is all designer originals though nothing by van Dyne, tsk. Your choker is baroque... a sort of Celtic design. Your nails... may it?" He takes her hand and scrutinizes it. "Sephora! Well they are an underrated company and they do a good product. May I say you were always well turned out. Unlike some of these women who adopt scanty dress to appear appealing, you always seemed appealing, in scanty dress if I may says so. And thank you for the menu tips."

"Is there anything I could do for you today? You never do anything without a reason. I'm similar, though more emotional than you at times."

Tessa has posed:
"The list of people less outwardly emotional than I am is rather small," Tessa acknowledges. "Largely consisting of persons I would rather not be compared with, unlike your list of brilliance. Missing a few members, I believe. Drs. Stark and McCoy come to mind. Cross-discipline doctorates and knowledge along with the ability to read themselves into new material with general ease." Herself, of course, but her brain structure made it almost certain that she could learn and adapt to a given situation. "Of course, brilliance has some level of subjectivity to it, because it often leaves out those outside of the sciences."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym nids and says, "My list was abbreviated. I am remiss. Henry is a good friend for that matter and Stark and Charles Xavier. I named those dealing in physics, primarily. I could add Otto Octavius for that matter... but I won't. I apologize for omitting your name but I thought it went without saying. I apologize. I still seem to have your hand. You can take it back." He looks down at twined fingers.

"I note you did not answer my question: is there anything I can do for you... unless you merely wish to hold hands?" He gives a small smile.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa withdraws her hand with that polite smile still on her face. "Merely wishing to get to know you a bit better, Dr. Pym. To meet the needs of our membership we must know more about them than just names, faces, and business interests. In such an uncertain world it can be best to know if anyone is acting... particularly out of turn, yes? Such things could become devastating."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym stops smiling. "Quite reasonable. A few times, I was devastating. I'm much better now. I'm not getting out of sorts and shrinking the building. Business doesn't really interest me. Usually. When I need money I do consulting work or build something to sell. I don't care very much for status. this is nice, coming in here to such fine amenities. As I said some people here are quite interesting. You, for example. Obviously you know what you're doing feeling me out. Your average worker would have gotten dismissed long before now after trying to discuss sports or... astrology. Don't tell Wanda I said that please. I am willing to continue discussing my... preferences... perhaps we could go somewhere more private," he says.

Tessa has posed:
"It is nice to get out from one's cave at times," Tessa agrees. "I find that I am more productive for having gotten outside for a few moments. I cannot call it fresh air, but the walk and sunlight is useful." Her phone buzzes, and she looks at it for a moment before allowing the tips of her mouth to curve downward. "I am afraid that I've been called away on urgent business. My apologies, Dr. Pym, but I will need to raincheck entertaining you further."

She stands, smoothing her skirt before bending forward to press a brief, polite kiss to Dr. Pym's forehead. "Do let me know if you come in for lunch some weekday. If I am available, I will at least join you for a drink. Until then, enjoy your book." Tessa strides away quickly, tapping an almost invisible earpiece as she moves toward the edge of hearing. "This is Ms. Fox. What's the situation?"