4856/Cafe Outing

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Cafe Outing
Date of Scene: 24 January 2021
Location: Cafe Lalo
Synopsis: A pleasent brunch, stories swapped and a good time!
Cast of Characters: Hank Pym, Saeko




Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym has gotten to enjoy Cafe Lalo. They do great brunch, the most important first date meal in his opinion. Needless to say e comes there a lot and... they even fixed the damage since he was here the last time. He eyes the buzzsaw blade still imbedded in the wall, with a protective plexiglass cover over it sourly. That one was too close. Hank checks his watch to see what part of his BPD cycle he's in... apparently he should be depressed as hell.

In your face BPD.

He sits back looking over the chalkboard specials and calls a server over. The eager to please provider snaps to it. "Yes Dr. Pym?!"

Hank helpfully points out where they used 'it's' in place of 'its' on the board description, and returns to his menu.

Saeko has posed:
The last time Saeko was in a cafe, a giant evil doppleganger tentacle came crashing through the wall and had quite ruined her afternoon. Hopefully this time? That one can be avoided. Of course, being out in public and not in the midst of heroics she wasn't revealing her nature. Her tails, pointed ears and 'whisker marks' were all hidden away. Instead, she looked perfectly human, if not as enthralling as usual. Even her clothing was more 'normal', a simple black skirt, stockings and a deep red blouse beneath a slim jacket. Fox in modern clothing!

Into the Cafe she walks, eyes sweeping over the unique interior within before coming to settle on the 'Helpful' Doctor.

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym gets up when he sees Saeko enter. He walks over to meet her a bouquet of flowers in his hand and beaming. "Good morning! I'm so glad you decided to... that we... here for you. I'm sorry I usually talk smarter than this." He shuts up and gives her the bouquet.

"I hope you like, foxgloves.."

Saeko has posed:
"Impressive," Saeko smiles, reaching out to take the flowers and chuckling a little. "A plant that literally makes the heart beat faster..." The Tenko smiles, tilting her head to the side. "Thank you for inviting me...shall we sit?"

Appearing to offerings of food, tea and courtly meetings of ancinet times were all quite normal for her...but this sort of outing? That was certainly a little more abnormal for her. "I'm afraid I did not bring you any gift."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym takes Saeko's jacket and hangs it up. It might be an illusion of a jacket but who knows? He goes to pull her chair out.

"You're very welcome. I just thought you'd be amused by these because of the name. It seems the foxgloves are working on my heart already."

Hank rubs the back of his neck as he processes the rest of what she said. "A gift? I don't require a gift. A hug would be appreciated." He holds his arms out a little awkwardly. Ridiculous he's hugged dozens... well a half dozen women. He was married twice. He... was generally speaking a complete goof. He acted like a 14 year old with a single PhD under his belt.

Saeko has posed:
The jacket was real, or at least it seemed it. When does the line between illusion and construct blur? It's hard to know for certain, but it hangs all the same. Making to sit herself down, she smiles, tilting her head to the side at his words. "It is an amusing pun, at least in English," she nods before his request of a hug has her moving to stand once more, making to lean in with her offered embrace. The soft scent of sweet flowers, something spring-like hangs to her hair, a gentle trace that was as real as her physical form seemed to be.

"Still, I am looking forward to this 'brunch'."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym hugs back. As he moves the chair to let her sit he takes another look around for supervillans. The next villain who broke up one of his dates would get a worse whomping than the guy whose car horn stuck when he pulled up behind Bruce Banner at a light.

He smiles as he takes his seat and hands Saeko a menu. He peruses, his before deciding on the Moroccan Delight. "I have no idea who eats brunch in the afternoon. By right's it is a fifth and entirely different meal but the food here is good regardless.

In the background a couple of the servers are arguing over who gets to wait on Hank. Eventually the loser comes forward. She too looks around for any signs of an incoming attack. This causes Hank to look around again.

"I am looking forward to it as well."

Saeko has posed:
Thankfully, there was no flying cars, bomb blasts or ill-fated armed robbers so far. Sitting herself back down as the nervous server comes round, the Tenko gives a little smile, leaning forwards and leaning her hand against her chin. "Something sweet to drink please, this 'Ice tea'?" she requests lightly. Back to the talk of food and Saeko sweeps her eyes over the menu, a smile on her lips. "And this 'Parisian please?"

Polite, friendly, kind to a server. It was all rather natural to Saeko...but there was a little sweep of her finger and an ever-so-subtle flare to her eyes as the server turns away. Strangely enough, as the 'loser' left, there was a $10 note stuck to their shoe that seemingly came from nowhere. What luck.

Turning her gaze back to hank, the fox in disguise gives a little wink of humor. "It is nice to have a break, no?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym sighs and says, "Abso-fricking-lutely!" He says it with a little more passion than warranted perhaps? or not!

"Thank you for letting me take you out. I... think I wanted to take you somewhere the first time we met and you..." he trails off and rubs his cheek the way she did when she first appeared. Then he ahems and takes a drink of water. Yes cold water is good. He winks back.

"So... are there any movies you want to see? Any genres you prefer? Comedy, action, romance?"

Saeko has posed:
"The first time we met...it might not have been appropriate," Saeko muses lightly, shrugging her shoulders. "I am not a doctor, but I was there to offer you aid in your hour of need. That was a position of power in some way, really." Her hand reaches out, a sip of her own drink and a trailing of her fingertip around the rim of the glass before she shrugs her partially bared shoulders. "I am a creature of joy, amusement and excitement. Any of those three things could be exciting...the last film I remember seeing was a monster movie..." A bite of her lip as she muses on the memory. "In the 1930's...I was quite curious how it worked. Technology truely is humanity's very own magic."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym nods. "I agree. Animation in particular has become very sophisticated. I think some of the earlier hand drawn efforts had more spirit and were charming in their own way. A monster movie in the thirties... do you like that sort of thing? I have a doozy about giant ants. It has a sad ending though. It was done... 70 years ago. But I think black and white filming is better for some movies."

"I feel a lot stronger since we met. I feel like I'm living for myself. I mean I still put my daughter's welfare ahead of the rest of humanity but... I'm aware she has to (air quotes) do her own thing (air quotes). I'm aware that certain people have moved out of my life and there's nothing I can do if that is what they want that. I'm aware I need to look after myself to continue building useful things. It is time for a little enjoyment." Almost on cue the server returns with food.

Saeko has posed:
"I like it, yes...I like trying new things. It is hard to convey but..." Saeko pauses, exhaling a breath and closing her eyes. "Takamagahara is a beautiful place, and serving Inari directly is an honor. My study, my meditations were important. But it was also like being in a room and knowing everything is happening a room over without being able to look out the window."

The Tenko smiles, trailing off to listen to Hanks own words and nodding her head approvingly. Much of what he'd said was words she agreed with, words she'd even offered herself at times. Not one to harp on a point he'd clearly taken to heart, Saeko lazily leans forwards to listen. "I'm glad to have been able to help."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym leans forward, almost touching foreheads.

He says in an almost conspiring tone, "I'm glad my... Sa-Ekquations brought you in particular. I needed the help. I'm glad to have made a... friend. I hope I am as fit a companion as those emperors you mentioned. I don't know why those idiots in the folktales wanted to look any further than this. What's a couple of tails between friends. I mean the ants didn't get upset when they saw I lacked antennae."

Saeko has posed:
"I am glad to know you Hank," Saeko offers, a hand reaching out to rest against his own. "And...well, people change over centuries. 'People' in the humanity sense. There are still many that are scared, but when people fly or turn into green champions of great power...well, what is a few tails indeed." A little quirk of her lips and the Kitsune lifts her hand to gesture to herself, a giggle offered. "Besides, I seem to remember you saying you like my tails...?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym nods and then their foreheads do touch. He offhand wonders if that's flirtatious? "Yes. I thought they were very pretty. I believe I complimented your ears /too/. I don't want to seem pushy, but if you don't push me back I think I'm going to go in for a kiss. Yes. Definitely." He smiles and keeps his forehead where it is holding her hand gently.

What the hell is going on Hank? You've been referred to as the least romantic man on the planet on four separate occasions! This is completely out of character!

Shut. Up.

Saeko has posed:
Flirtatious? Comforting? Somewhere in the middle or perhaps both. The fox lightly muses at the thought, no empath but not without insight. His words however? That brings a little quirk of her lips.

"A kiss?" she muses before tilting her head. "And then what is it you'll want next Hank Pym? From an embrace to a meal, a meal to a kiss...what do you hope for...?"

It wasn't a no...

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym stops leaning in and stops smiling, pondering her words, eyes half closed. He takes a moment, which is a long time for someone with his brain. Then he opens his eyes and smiles and says, "I hope to find out what comes next, in good time, not too fast, not too slow. I hope to keep enjoying this now for as long as I can. I hope to hhave more good days like today with and without you." He starts to lean back. You have to take your time with immortals. Though Hercules... was Hercules.

Saeko has posed:
Saeko was very much not Hercules, nor was she human, but the woman tilts her head with a smile. "Tell me," she murmers lightly and chuckles. "I am not one to make fun, as you know...but this is different, our meeting is different than most...."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym sits back, a little unsure. "Tell you... yes this is very different for me too. You're very different from what I'm used to. I'm not even considering you being a Tenko. But... there were strange aspects to our meeting for sure. I feel like we're particle and anti-particle, mutually attractive. When they meet... people say they annihilate each other. That is wrong. When particle and anti-particle meet they are transformed into energy and other particles. They become something new. I feel like that is what could happen here... only we haven't met yet. Well you know all about transformation, obviously. Though you seem to remain Saeko over all. There're quantum physics that describe similar phenomena. The reality is much more charming. And flirts."

Saeko has posed:
"I'm afraid my 'divine knowledge' doesn't quite extend to quantum physics to your degree," the fox muses, Saeko pausing as she finally looks down and seems to notice her food, but she's happy to disregard it in favor of the conversation with a smile. "I know I don't follow the usual rules of reality...but I am bound by a few of my own as you know."

She pauses, her hand drawing back from his to absently brush her hair back behind her human ears. Seems they existed...at least in this form.

"But I would say we are constantly changing, even you and I. It was not that long ago you were seeking to disprove my very existance unknowingly, now we are flirting over fine breakf-...brunch, doing battle with monsters and attempting to save your friends together. Clearly, things can change rapidly and unexpectedly."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym steeples his fingers contemplating.

"We are like photons. Sometimes photons behave like particles and sometimes like waveforms. Sometimes I was a hero, sometimes I was a monster. Once I built a monster, a robot named Ultron. Now I'm Hank and wonder whether I atoned enough or if there is anything to atone for? I was suffering from BPD but using that for an excuse seems cowardly. I like to think I balanced the scales somewhat, but I still make mistakes. Sometimes I am a particle, sometimes a wave."

"But you... you still seek new things, you recognize you are still changing and evolving. Not just immortal but... eternally young and willing to learn. That is amazing."

Saeko has posed:
"That is a beautiful way to look at things," Saeko smiles, tilting her head. "A poetry to itself as any I'd heard, but distinctly 'you'."

Saeko tilts her head the other way, a little shift of her form in the chair as she take a small bite of her meal. "I am different, as I said...your 'dating' in the past, other women...Well, I imagine most of them were not immortals born over a thousand years ago. I have had loves, lovers for a time, passion and romance but..."

She pauses, giving a little laugh. "This is the first 'date' I believe I have been on."

Hank Pym has posed:
There is some buzzing out of earshot of Hank, though not the vixen. "Dr. Pym brings a lot of women here. -Only three with this one. -Never the same one twice. -Yeah. A regular Hercules! -Pffft hardly. Never the same one twice but for completely different reasons. -Ya gotta admit he tries, the poor crazy guy."

"I think it was Lovecraft who said, the greatest mercy he could imagine was that we didn't know the half of the madness that goes on around us. It applies to his supernatural horror stories and quantum physics.

Dating is... like making experiments to see how to build a relationship. I should be better at it.

"Listen... I'm sorry I was being a pushy boor before. You're a fine companion. I appreciate that. I just... I'm a big dumb guy at times. I'm sure you are familiar with this."

Saeko has posed:
She actually laughs, perhaps a little unsettling to have her giggling at his apology. Her hand rests in front of her mouth as the high-pitched feminine noise fills the restaurant before she lowers her hand.

"You haven't been pushing nearly as much as you think. Most people don't invite a kitsune out for a meal and company. Usually it's nets, poetry, kidnappings and...sometimes small armies for some of us."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym's eyes widen in disbelief. His hand curls over hers protectively.

"Your poor people. I've been chased. I've been captured. 've had robots, thugs, an army a couple of times, though usually with the Avengers... death traps. I don't know what's wrong with people. Humans are messed up. I try to be a nicer person all the time but people are just so /stupid/."

"Oh! I almost forgot... I was looking up stories about kitsune and I found this..." He pulls out a small tablet and moves his chair around to sit diagonally from Saeko. Then he plays a short film on it <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQK_WtrwNy4>. Ah flower scents.

Saeko has posed:
"I mean," Saeko muses, returning the squeeze on her hand and laughing softly. The video, that has her eyes widening, amusement bringing a shake of head.

"Reminds me of my early days...my first century. Myself, my sisters...well, we were not above causing such mischief."

A pause, a sip of her drink. "There is a story I could tell you of a hunter sometime..."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym pockets the tablet. "Oh dear, I am a young innocent human. Please -go on. Humans don't get the chance to hear legends from a legend themself. I mean I'm lucky. Get a few root beers into Captain America and he loosens up. ... I think this was that fox's first transformation. The way she was unfamiliar with walking and all. I didn't know foxes could swim underwater."

Saeko has posed:
A grin, the Tenko peans forwards, a hand lifting to her cheek. "Who says she was a fox under the water?" she smiles, tilting her head to the side. "Shapeshifting is one of the first things we learn...like walking for a human."

A breath, she closes her eyes. "Centuries ago," she begins, voice droping soft yet just enough of its enthralling edge remaining to suggest she was practiced at a little storytelling, "A noble rode with his men through the woods to hunt foxes, skilled hunters and strong horses...yet they had no luck. No fox could be found."

A grin, eyes open and she tilts her head. "The lord got frustrated and swore, stating that if Inari themself appeared they'd hunt them to the end of the earth."

She trails off, looking up to Hank. Perhaps only Kitsune would find the story funny as it continues, but still...

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym ahs... "Hubris. I wonder does Victor von Doom and this noble share a heritage.? Please go on." He leans in a little, in a conspiratorial way, grinning now. Obviously Saeko has a recruit for Team Fox.

Saeko has posed:
The grin remains, mischief alight in her features as the Tenko continues her tail. "And so, a fox appeared. Small and young, her fur the bright rich gold that a hunter could dream of."

Saeko exhales, a soft giggle on her lips. "So they chased the fox through the woods, through a valley, ran themselves to ruin until they reached a river too wild to cross...and the fox jumped and swam right to the other side..."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym might be one of Odysseus' men listening to the sirens. Eurocentric that he is. "So time for the noble to put up or shut up? Mke sure your words are sweet, because you might have to eat them."

Saeko has posed:
"His bowstring was broken," Saeko continues, "so he lept into the water to catch her with his bare hands...and was swept away while his men watched."

"The fox? She swam to the other side...and she laughed, loud enough that the grass and trees shook."

Saeko straightens up, her grin more alight, mischief and memory filling features with joy. "And then the fox? She changed, appeared in the guise of a woman for the first time, the very sight of her sending the men fleeing back to their home howling for forgiveness. The shrine they built lasted for generations..."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym nods. "A cautionary tale to be sure. I read a lot of them growing up. Scientists have a lot of them, believe it or not. Don't try to live forever or regain your youth. Don't try to time travel and change the past. Beware of robots and animals you make intelligent... don't experiment on yourself. Want to hear that one? It's called The Man in the Ant Hill."

Saeko has posed:
"And the tale of the first time I came to the physical form of...well, this one. Although more 'youthful beauty' than..." she trails off to nod, smiling and tilting her head yet again, even if she was still giggling a little to the memory. "By all means Hank, I do love stories..."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym settles in. His eggs were somehow eaten around his words. "Once there was a scientist who was considered a dreamer with no real purpose and his colleagues told him to stop and apply himself to more boring and practical projects. But he didn't and one day had two serums, one would make you shrink, the other let you grow. Well the idiot tested it on himself. He thought he would shrink a foot or so and then return to normal. But he shrank to a single centimeter and the growth serum was on a high shelf, out of reach. The dreamer ran outside to find help and found himself face to face with a giant hungry spider!"

"Well he fled again! He was actually good at fleeing and fell into an ant hill. The ants were very puzzled to find a human in their home. most reacted badly and tried to bite or sting him //Get out of our home!// they cried. But one little ant, named Korr, helped him. She took the man in he jaws and climbed to the antidote. He took it and returned to normal. He immediately destroyed his serums, deciding they were too dangerous. He swore never to recreated them."

"But eventually he did... because he was a dreamer."

Saeko has posed:
Saeko smiles, but there's no comment from her. She knew he spoke of himself, knew the final outcome and indeed knew that he had made the serum.

What did she think of it? It was hard to know exactly, but she smiles none the less, watching him closely as he continues to speak.

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym is a hard read at the moment as well. "Everyone is waiting to see how the rest of the story works out. Were you ever in love, Saeko?"

Saeko has posed:
Time to speak, Saeko smiles, a little chuckle given. "The 'telling' can be more fun than the end, seems to me it's a tale of trial and reward in the face of daring. Ill-advised or reckless? Certainly, but that itself brought the means to help others and still does. Seems to me it's a good story..."

His second question? It makes her blink, bite her lip in thought. "I...am unsure. I have love for Inari, love for those I help, love for mankind...and I have had lovers who brought me joy...but that is not what you meant, is it?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym puts his hand on Saeko's. "It is something that is hard to tell and always hard to speak of. When you find the right person... they fill a hole you never knew you had in your being. I feel funny talking to you about life... you have seen much more of it than I have. Anyway it was not a proper question. I was just curious. I was married twice, in love once. She died and my second marriage was for all the wrong reasons. Janet... was my friend, she was my partner in high adventure. She was an attempt to recapture something I lost. I was a way to make her a superhero. It was enough for a while. It wasn't love. Love is more elusive than a kitsume and sometimes if you pursue it too hard, it ends in disaster down in the ant hill."

Saeko has posed:
"I..." Saeko begins before trailing off, unsure of what to say. The Tenko was actually speechless, instead looking down to her finished brunch and pondering.

Eventually however, perhaps divine knowledge came through, or she simply thought of something to say. "Perhaps the best experiences and joys are the unexpected, blessings we come across without seeking. After all, blessings people ask for are the ones that cost something."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym nods. "Like using quantum mechanics to examine the propagation of hope and invoking a kitsune? A very special tenko no less! I have to say it was one of the nicer surprises in my work. I've had some doozies." He realizes as he says it the kitsune was probably intent on that very thought, only conveyed in a far more subtle way and falls to finish the last of his eggs in silence.

Still he's doing better than most of his dates. They're well past the point where the woman usually decides that's enough of that.

Saeko has posed:
She laughs, a outright and genuine giggle before she closes her eyes and shakes her head. "I am glad I rank better than a random lab explosion, as accidental encounters go."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym realizes he is very dependable in lacking people skills.

"I've only had two explosions. One was relatively small small, more a fire. The other... we had to move deeper in New Jersey. I... have had good experiences in the lab. I just can't recall any good surprises offhand. Oh! I gave my daughter one of my inventions and she took right to it... she gets that from me! Would you like some wine or a mimosa to round out the meal?"

Saeko has posed:
Hanks admission brings a grin, his talk of his daughter another genuine smile before Saeko shakes her head lightly. "It is too early in the day for me to drink I think, though the offer is appreciated. Perhaps though, if you wish, we can meet again some evening for drinks together. My treat, for once. Not a divine bounty...just plain old purchased with money."

Hank Pym has posed:
She has money? Wait she asked him out?!

"I think I'd enjoy that very much. Would you pick the place? I don't drink a lot. But this is fine, thank you. I had a good time. I hope you liked your first date. I will wait on your call phone, visit or popping in... well... if you want to pop in at the house gve me a call to make sure I'm not in the shower nor the Microverse."

Hank gets up releasing her hand, was he holding it this long?