The Aviatrix Poppy Delacrule had just turned 21 and was thoroughly enjoying the party her father had put on for her. She scorned the glamorous gowns of her fellow unwedded socialites who were giggling and hanging on to the arms of rich men. She scoffed. She preferred her flying duds.
Plus she knew she looked good in them. Tight calf skin pants, tighter than was fashionable. Boots, heeled but still on the practical side, though they came up a tad further than what most pilots wore. She had on a leather jacket, but kept it open so her not insignificant breasts could be displayed prominently in her crimson shirt. She didn't have her flying cap or goggles, so instead her hair, a raven black cascaded in waves down onto her right shoulder.
She looked around the room, there were the usual high society members. Her father had found the arm of Mrs. Molyneux, a fabulous widow who ran her husband's newspaper empire. Perhaps the lady's enormous breasts had caught her father's eye. There were newspaper men here too, probably smuggled in under the widow's prominent skirts if she had to guess.
Poppy laughed at her own joke, only to have it choke in her throat as across the room she saw Herr Heinrich. She glared. He hasn't supposed to be here. The war, for one. And she'd had father pay for the best lawyers around to keep him away after he'd left her at the altar. But there he was talking to Dr. Kosolov. Furious Poppy stalked towards him. He was smiling and cheerful. He was handsome as ever of course, chiseled chin, dark with stubble, his blonde hair combed back and he was in a well fitted tuxedo, he was tall and had broad shoulders and it was cut to show this off in precise German style.
She was stymied by a waiter who pirouetted a tray of champagne glasses in front of her. She cursed under her breath. Over the bubbly she saw that Dr. Kosolov passed Heinrich a vial. That spy! She'd have to have words with him later! She ducked under the still spinning tray and broke out into a hurried jog. Heinrich was pushing open the balcony door. With a rush she hastily, yet politely pushed past a group of guests and burst into the cold night air.
Her hair was instantly sent flapping about her. The air was filled with a droning sound. She gaped for an instant as Heinrich seemed to recede. He was clutching a dangling ladder from an airship! Without a moments thought Poppy threw herself as the bottom rung of the ladder began to rise into the air.
She caught it. Looking up she saw Heinrich's suede shoes and perfectly pressed pants climbing up to the ship. She climbed up furiously. He disappeared into a hatch but Poppy was close behind. She opened the hatch slowly, hoping Heinrich might not have noticed her.
She peered into the brightly lit room as she lifted the hatch above her. Suddenly a hand appeared in front of her with a smoking vial! She yelped and breathed in hard sucking the purple smoke into her mouth. She coughed for a moment and lost her grip on the ladder, but strong masculine hands grabbed her armpits and hauled her up. The hatch closed with a bang behind her.
Poppy tried to stand, but her legs were weak underneath her and she ended up with her legs curled in front of her. As she cleared her head she looked around. She was in the white washed cargo hold of the airship. Shiny scaffolding curved away from the floor, holding the envelope of the zeppelin in shape. Standing in front of her was Heinrich.
"Well, well, well. Ms. Delacrule! So kind of you to join me." Heinrich smiled, wide and white. Poppy hated herself for ever, and perhaps still, finding him attractive.
"What was that vial Heinrich?" Poppy snarled. She still felt weak, but did her best to not show it.
"Oh, that little thing. You just breathed in a very powerful and unique substance. You see, Dr. Kosolov has been working with the US government to make a new weapon to help you in the war. Little does your government know, Dr. Kosolov has been working for me!" Heinrich laughed dramatically.
Poppy snarled and wished her legs were strong enough to stand. There was a door behind Heinrich, and the hatch must be behind her. If she could just get Heinrich over here and push him out she'd be able to take over the airship and fly it back to the States.
"Ok, now let's get to it. Stand up." Heinrich's voice cut into her thoughts. Without a moments hesitation Poppy found herself stand up. She shook a little as she rose.
"What are you doing to me!?" Poppy yelled.
"I always wanted to do this to you" Heinrich smiled at her. Poppy felt weak at the knees but thought it was probably still the potion at work. "I was shattered that the war was declared just the day before our wedding. I wanted to return."
"You could have come anyway! Defect to America?" Poppy snarled.
"Oh Poppet, darling. You know that would never work. I'd never be trusted."
"Bollocks, you know my father would-" Poppy was cut off.
