Chapter 8
Poppy sighed. They had been staring at each other for a long while now, or at least Erik has. She could feel the way he stared. It was like getting you soul examined. Very uncomfortable. Erik's cat had decided that her lap was the perfect pillow, so she was curled up, sleeping away. Finally Poppy could stand it no more. "So...how much do you want to know?"
Erik jumped. He had been deep in thought with what to do with her. "I don't think I want to know now. Right now I need to figure out what to do with you. If what you say is true, that you are from the future...I believe there may be no way to get you back. Am I correct?"
Poppy nodded, "Yup. I have no idea how to get back. And I don't want to try hitting head again. It's still sore." She said this as she rubbed her head.
"Thought so. And I know that you have no idea to survive in this times."
Poppy let out a disgusted sigh, "Well, no shit Sherlock!"
Erik stood and walked over to her. He looked down at her and said in a voice that held warning, "What did you say?"
Poppy squared her shoulders," Well since you are hard of hearing I will tell you again. I said...could I stay with you?"
Erik staggered a few steps back. "What!"
Poppy smirked and gently laid the cat else were and stood. "You heard me. As you pointed out the obvious, I have no why to get back to my time, and have no idea how to survive here. I have three strikes against me. One. I am a girl. Two. I am blind and don't know my way around, as much as I hate to mention it. Three. I don't speck French. That's three. And were I come from, three strikes are bad. Three and I'm out!"
Erik stared at her in shock, "You want to stay here? With me?"
Dipping her head, Poppy nodded, "Yes. Maybe we can help each other."
Erik looked back at her," How?"
Poppy sighed," Well, for one I can give you people lessons."
When Erik didn't answer, she figured that he didn't get it. So she explained it to him." Well, I can help you strike conversations, like...hmmm, oh the classic, How are you? Lovely weather we're having. And would you like to go for coffee? Opps, that's from my time, but you get the idea. Anyway if you ever plan on meeting Christine face to face or in your case mask to face, you need some tips on conversation starters. And I am the perfect person to help you do that!"
Erik thought for a minute. She was right he hated to admit it, but she was right. She was clearly not afraid of him, being blind helped her. She could not see his hideous face. All she knew was that he wore a mask. So, yes, she could help him. And in return he'll allow her to stay here until she learned his language and the ways of the time she now found her self in.
"I have a proposition for you. You can stay until you ether find a way back to your time or learn the ways and language. In return you will help me "strike conversations" and give me as you said it, "people lessons". Deal?"
Poppy grinned and stuck out her hand, "Deal."
Erik looked at it warily, but complied and shook hers.
"Oh, my! Your hand is cold!"
"A trait I seem to have."
"Hmm." Poppy spun around, clapping her hands in joy. A chance to make everything "right." She always enjoyed screwing up plots. If Christine was worthy of him, she'll do everything in her power to help Erik get her. But if not, well the little soprano had better watch out.
XxX
