Planet of the Stars

Chapter 56: Poppy

I smile at her.

"I know, but these people don't know the new me they know the older version and I have to pretend to be that version here," I say.

Felicity nods.

"Who is she?" Felicity asks.

"Oh, Poppy. She owns the place. I was her favorite client. I made her a lot of money. She wasn't happy when I decided to go legit.

Of course, when I came back at 14 she told me "She told me so" Obviously she was even less happy when I was only back here for a year, then Efren, Helaina, Dagur, and Loki found me and I really went straight. She might know I'm here for information and she's not going to be happy about it," I say.

Flick nods.

"Ready to go?" She asks.

I sigh and nod.

"Yeah, let's get this over with," I say.

Felicity nods and we head out of the bathroom after she touched up my hair and make-up. When he headed outside I was immediately surrounded by Poppy's guards. I sighed.

"Couldn't even wait for me to come to you," I say.

"How could I? You would manage to slip away," Poppy says appearing from her guards who were separating from her to make a path.

Felicity tensed and I knew it was because Poppy was not what she expected. Poppy was about three feet tall had large bat-like ears, and really wrinkled skin, and wore make-up and an old slip dress, and a large hoop earring in one ear. I smile.

"Nice to see you, Poppy," I say inclining my head.

She gestures for me to follow her. I shake my head but follow her. Felicity follows me and the guards flank us. Poppy leads us to her office. She sits down then takes out a long pipe and smokes from it. Smoke curled out from the end and furled into the air. She offered it to Felicity and me, and we shook our heads.

"That stuff is going to kill you," Felicity says.

I let out a small laugh and I smiled at her.

"Well everyone's going to die from something. I'd prefer this to a bullet through the heart," Poppy says, then turns to me.

"Who's the android?" Poppy asks.

"Her name is Felicity. I call her Flick for short. She's my nurse," Poppy asks.

"Why do you need a nurse?" Poppy asks.

"That's hardly your business," I say smiling.

Poppy shrugs.

"Why is she dressed like that?" Poppy asks.

"Because she needed to blend in, plus she looks great," I say smiling at Felicity.

"I'm assuming you're here for information. I've heard stories about you. I know you're far away from this life you used to live," Poppy says.

I nod. She groans then looks at Felicity and speaks directly to her.

"I could've made lots of money off of her. She's Helrifian, we don't get many of those so she could've been expensive for being exotic," Poppy says. "Plus she has the power not many people have," Poppy says.

"I thought she was your favorite client?" Felicity says.

"I was, in getting her the things she needed or doing things for her under the table. She's talking about me becoming a part of her menagerie. I wasn't interested in being bought and sold to the highest bidder for pleasure," I say.

Felicity shoots Poppy a reproachful glare.

"Oh come on don't look at me like that. It's always the girl's choice or the male's. I give them protection, a place to live, food, a job, and they get paid," Poppy says.

"But you take some of their earnings for yourself," I say.

"Of course. I'm the one who pays for their food, and I own where they live and I need some motivation to keep my mouth shut about them," Poppy says grinning.

Felicity shakes her head.

"So, what about your android? I could make money off of her," Poppy says.

"She's not for sale," I snarl.

Poppy laughs.

"I kid, although I'm not lying about how you could make me a lot of money," Poppy says.

"Poppy, what is this? Are you going to let us get the information we came for or not?!" I demand.

Poppy shrugs.

"Maybe I just wanted to catch up with an old friend," Poppy says.

My arms were crossed and I quirk an eyebrow.

"Fine, I'll let you get your information, but you're going to have to do something for me," Poppy says.

I roll my eyes.

"Not surprised," I murmur.

"Is that a yes?" Poppy asks.

"Yes, that's a yes," I say.

"Good," She says smiling.

"What do you need?" I sigh.

"There's a customer who's proving to be difficult. He hasn't been paying and he's been rather unpleasant to our workers," Poppy says.

"So, you want me to threaten him?" I ask.

"No. He's rather powerful and wealthy. He has the power to sue us and make everything difficult for me. I need you to pose as workers. Your android can go with you if you wish. Then get the money from him and maybe make him treat my workers better," Poppy says.

I roll my eyes.

"So, you still get your wish of making money off of me," I say.

Poppy sends me a smug smile.

"Maybe just a little," Poppy says.

I turn to Felicity.

"If you're not comfortable with this you don't have to do it," I say.

She walks up beside me.

"I'm not letting you do this alone," Felicity says.

I smile gratefully at her.

"Thank you," I say.

She nods. I face Poppy.