Hank & Hank

“Believe it or not, I’m still trying to wrap my head around Krakoa.”

“It’s quite different than the state that mutantkind was in before your, passing.”

“A modification. Franklin gave it to Valeria and Valeria, well, she tinkers. I’ll get it back, Henry. I promise. You know kids. Genius kids, specifically. She has a lot of Reed in her.”

He couldn’t hold it much against them. He was soft on them. His expression relaxed. “Ah yes, that does add up. Well, getting it back sooner rather than later is preferred, but I’ll be patient.”

“Tarot Cards and computers. I hate to sound naive,” Xandra paused. “But I’m unfamiliar with Tarot Cards.”  The only reason she was allowed on Krakoa at all was because of who her father was. “I find that I have some free time in Charles’ absence that I am trying to learn during.”

“Oh right. I wouldn’t assume the Shi’arr would have them.” He said fanning them out for a moment before sliding them into their back. “Many people here use them strictly for reading other’s fortunes or claiming to do so, I however use them for a plethora of rituals and spells. It’s effectiveness, like with all tools, relies greatly on the user.”

“I believe they took it. I thought that it belonged to them.”

“It most certainly did not, but I’ll manage to get it back.” He said trying to lighten his tone. “What can I do for you, Xandra?”

“i didn’t think about that.” he admitted quietly. not that it mattered now, most of the items had fallen into the bottom tray. with the machine right side up again, he reached in and grabbed a few things, then jutted his chin at hank’s tablet. “whatchya got  goin on there?” 

“I assumed as much. If you had you would have done so, surely.” He replied as he scrolled through his documentations. “I’m attempting to do a stable carbon isotope analysis on one of the trees on Krakoa to decifer how it differs from the various tropics and how much of that comes from Krakoa’s mutations or the environment and looking to see how this could be applied to other tropical plants.”

I think it would have been so invigorating to be the first human to transport myself between dimension via technological machinery rather that through magical means. Stars and Garters, the thought of looking onto an existence entirely new to humanity gives me chills.

Hmm, that’s a tough one... I’m going to have to say the creation of the difference engine. While I’ve built super computers being the one to build the first computer and start this technological journey would be an irreplaceable honor.

“–whoops, sorry.” Warren removed his earbuds. “Did you say something? You look.. upset.”

“You know what. It’s nothing. I don’t think you had anything to do with it, so I won’t bore you with the details.” He wasn’t being cold or spiteful, just matter of fact as was typical. He sent off a message to X-Force about the misplaced equipment before looking back to Warren. “I could use a break, free for lunch?”

“—having a bad day, Hanky?”

“Hanky...?” He said more to himself than anything. “Just one of those days I suppose.”

“—what equipment?”

“A molecular accelerator and a catalytic agent meant to spark random mutation in plant cells.”

“–stars and garters? You’re talking like you were born the same decade that I was, kid.”

He couldn’t help but sigh. Jean had been working on him saying it less, but sometimes it just slipped out. “One could say I’m a bit of an old soul a suppose.” He said sounding somewhat embarrassed.

“Yeah, viruses are a pain in the ass.” Nate commented, mostly to himself as he glanced to his metal arm. “Note taken– no touching the equipment.”

Phrasing Hank. Phrasing. Hank considered himself to be a fairly kind and caring person, but he could easily become forgetful and allow his pragmatism to put the proverbial foot in his mouth. “General rule of thumb. Some of my more recent experiments are... Unconventional.”

“I heard rumors, and was just asking a question. Sorry if that hit a nerve–”

“Just caught me off guard, Nate.” He said as he began centering himself. “I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. It’s important and you’ve done good, son. Thank you.” He said offering a bit of a fanged smile.

“I have no need for your computers, do not worry. We certainly do not need anymore.. problems.”

“If more people thought as you do.” Hank mused lightly, feeling comfortable in the though that the Vision wouldn’t be causing any troubles. “I have to say, I wasn’t expecting to run into you here.”

“Did someone take your property without your permission?”

“It appears so, and it seems as though you know nothing of it. Yet another dead end.”

“What about me made you believe that I would know?”

“Apologies.” Hank said pointing to his ear piece. “I’m not mad. Just please get this taken care of. I’m away from home.” He said before disconnecting the call. “Again, you have my apologies. I didn’t mean to direct that at you.”