4311/Shrinking in the Rain

Shrinking in the Rain
Date of Scene:	05 December 2020
Location:	Cafe Lalo
Synopsis:	Hank in a good mood and the world doesn't end.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Hank Pym

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Michael Hannigan has posed:
It is early afternoon. Not quite dinner but a bit after the typical lunch hour. Being it isn't one of the busy times, there are a few tables free in Cafe Lalo. With the rain outside, that makes for even less traffic in, freeing up even more tables.

It is incredibly quiet in the cafe, the sound of a knife scraping preserves onto a slice of toast can be heard several tables over along with the clink of a spoon on the inside of a coffee mug.

Hmm. That sounds like breakfast items. But, it's afternoon! What is this madness? Well, until 4 PM, Cafe Lalo serves Brunch.

Off to the side, Mike sits, quietly enjoying the remainders of an omlette and some coffee as he listens to the sound of the rain hitting the nearby window.

Hank Pym has posed:
Weaknesses. Everyone has them. Superheroes seem to make a habit of encountering theirs and bemoaning the fact. Hank Pym keeps quiet about his big weakness, rain. Ants are useless in the rain. They hate and fear it like all tiny creatures. An Ant-Man without aAnts is merely Man. Albeit sometimes a twelve foot tall man.

Mike can catch sight of the scientist as he crosses the street, raincoat and slouch hat worn. The incognito wear of the super set. He's not low profiling it today though. He's... dancing down the street until he finally shrinks to the amazement and amusement of passersby and does a quick spin around a lamp post before doing an ant jump to the threshold of Lalo before holding the door for a party leaving and then entering. An unopened umbrella is left in the stand and Hank plops into the seat opposite Mike with a very cheerful 'heyo.'

Michael Hannigan has posed:
The flash of movement in his peripheral vision causes for Mike to turn his head. Pale eyes blink as the rather chipper form strides down gracefully. The windows are closed fortunately so if any singing is involved, he's not be subjected to it.

The attention follows the man's actions all the way up to the front of the door. Realizing who it is, there's a slight upturn to the side of the musician's lip, forming a smirk. He's quiet as Hank makes his way over. But the happy greeting gets a bit of a chuckle. "Afternoon Hank. To what do we thank for this great mood?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym reaches for a menu. "I'm off my meds for bipolar disorder. I'm in the manic phase right now, but managing. I schedule different activities to balance my work. I'm managing. My power complications seem to be resolving. I'm not in constant pain and... I made a friend. You might know her: Wanda Maximoff. I enjoy her company and I think she enjoys mine. I hope she enjoys mine. I mean I try to be enjoyable... anyway... we have similarities. She struck a chord and I like her." He blushes a tad and looks to the menu studiously.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
So several things." Mike surmises. "Good news on the not being in pain and the new friend." He pauses, thinking about the name. "Wanda...Maximoff." He repeats. "Something about the name seems familiar but I can't say I've met her. Is she in music?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym chuckles. "Now you know how I feel when you talk about some band and I ask of they're at large or on the Raft. No the lady is an Avenger, the Scarlet Witch. I never got to know her until events conspired to make us meet..." You couldn't omit the truth more obviously and Hank seems to realize this and comes clean after a moment. "I had multiple equipment failures and thought is was her and called her over to yell at her. It was my depressed cycle and she helped me. She's very nice. A very compassionate person like... Nadia." Yeah Nadia, say that.

"She took me to the Microverse and I discovered a world that ameliorates my condition. She's making me something to help me heal. I gave her a copy of Raphael's Flask because she needs a little peace of mind at times, like we all do. We met for brunch here... we're going to go out again. I'm not using the term date."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
With the clarification Mike's brows raise. "Oh. Scarlet Witch." He nods, "Yes. I've heard that title before. He gives a slight shrug, "I don't really hang out with that group type much." The musician admits, voice lowering, "Barring getting together to prevent the occasional bad stuff or needing to borrow someone's library, we tend to keep to ourselves."

He picks up his mug, taking a sip before setting it back down. "She's more than welcome to the song. Its for everyone who needs it."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym nods. "I figured as much. I'm sorry if you wanted me to ask first but it seemed like what you said. Anyway she twigged me to a couple things. We talked about me being a sort of absent father for one thing. But then she started saying maybe my lab was making me sick and vice versa. That got me thinking. I'm researching Pym particles and my powers could affect the very research I'm doing. I'm going to look for help in that department. Annnnd I'm going to teach Nadia to ice skate. I might as well put some of that time at Rockefeller Center sliding around to good use and... okay making too many plans. Talking too fast. So what's new with you? How're Amanda and Nightcrawler?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"You're fine with the song." Mike assures, "If it was an issue I probably wouldn't have set that one up to be downloaded so easily."

He tries to be quiet as Hank lists the numerous plans he has in place, giving a nod to each point given. All in all it appears Hank's working to make some positive changes. Even if it seems like it might be taking a big bite in one go.

"Well." Mike pauses, "I'm working on my next album. That should release next year. As for Amanda and Nightcrawler, I haven't really seen them since we stopped the Zodiac thing. We each kind of have our own things so..." He gives a shrug, "Most of my time is spent at the studio or playing gigs."

The mug lifts, "The studio's got a toy drive going on. I'll probably be helping out with Christmas Dinner over at St Nicholas's again."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym set the menu down to listen. "Huh. Maybe Pym-Tech could donate some toys to that. In fact maybe the Avengers could help a little. Who'd turn down Avengers asking for donations?"

He pauses a moment and says, "Don't worry, no home made toys from Dr. Pym."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike grins at the idea. "If you guys want to help out with the drive I'm not going to stop you. I don't think Wade's going to protest either. The toys are going to be going to St. Nicholas's for the children staying there."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym can't help but smile. In the past, that was a bad thing, like getting zapped by that Joker fellow's venom. As he listens to the rain come down though everything seems to be going... all right if not good for the first time in a while.