doesntsing | open post

“I probably could,” Midge replies casually. “She’s a little intimidating.”

More than a little, but as soon as Midge can stop feeling like she’s about to get turned into a frog at any second, they should be fine.

“It’s a strong personality. Most women aren’t like her.” Surely Jaskier has noticed that. She glances up at him. “Should I invite her for coffee or something?”

Midge can take the initiative if Jaskier thinks Yennefer won’t.

"Only a little?" His tone is amused. "Wow, she's been holding back, then."

Indeed, Yen's very different, and Jaskier likes that - he likes strong personalities. Of course, it took him years to appreciate it, but that's a different matter.

He beams when Midge considers befriending her. "You truly are interested? That would mean a lot." He glances at the table before looking back at Midge. "Let me chat her up during the week before I give you her number, does that work for you?"

“Sure,” Midge says. “I guess I could use some friends too.” It’s been difficult maintaining friendships after the divorce, since so many of her friendships involved being part of a couple. She still has Imogene. And Susie? “How fickle is she about using magic against people?”

Her eyes soften as they meet Jaskier’s. “You were really great tonight,” she tells him quietly. “The crowd here loves you.”

Another chuckle. "As long as you don't do anything that angers her, you'll be fine. Worry not, my lady - as a fellow woman who is trying to make it in a sea of pompous dicks, you've already earned sympathy in her eyes. She'll agree to all the things you say on stage."

He smiles softly in return. "Thank you. I admit it's my favorite place to perform. No need to hide anything here." He looks at the crowd, admiring all the people who have finally found the freedom to flirt. "I know there have been one or two comments about otherworlders, but they aren't common. This is a non-bigotry space." He nudges Midge playfully. "If you wish to perform here again, let me know and I'll get the manager's card for Susie. Most performers avoid it to 'protect their reputations'. We could do with the extra support."

Hopefully Yennefer isn’t hot tempered. This friendship might end before it gets off the ground.

“Ironically, Susie might be the one who doesn’t want me to perform here,” Midge says, sipping her drink. Her manager might see it exactly as that - putting Midge’s reputation at stake. Or she might think that it’s not high profile enough for her. “Do Hollywood types come in here?”

Jaskier wonders why Midge calls it ironically. It's because he knows about Susie, or because of her manager policies? Since he isn't sure if Susie is out, he decides not to ask.

"I heard stories of actors and musicians coming in disguise because they keep the truth from the public. But they're simply that - clients. They don't perform. And I don't think talent hunters come around either."

Maybe Midge is assuming, because she’s never said it out loud, but Susie is a lesbian. So, no, she’s not out, at least not to Midge. Still, it’s ironic that Susie wouldn’t want Midge to perform in a gay club.

“She won’t like that,” Midge replies. “But, not every performance that I do needs to go through her. I’m allowed to take the gigs that I want.”

He smiles proudly at her. "I agree. And good to know, too. I've been trying to get used to the way this world works, but I must admit - having someone telling me what to do with my art sounds... controlling." He wrinkles his nose. "Like witches assigned to be royalty advisors."

She hums in her throat. “Susie’s the whole reason I’m a comic. She told me that I could do this as a career and that she wanted to represent me. I don’t think she’s ever done this before, but there’s no denying that she knows the New York comedy scene. She’s a fierce negotiator, way better at it than I ever could be. It’s easier to let her deal with the bookings and payements. I trust her enough to do right by me. I still have to sign the contracts.” So far, everything has seemed aboveboard.

“Witches are assigned to work for royalty where you come from?”

"And I am grateful to her for putting you out there. Her knowledge alone is worth gold. The concepts just--" A shrug. "--bothers me." An awkward pause. "Although I suppose I'm a manager for my family, in a way."

He nods at her question. "If by 'work for' you mean 'they pretend to be advisors when actually they're manipulating the kings to control the realm from the shadows', then yes."

“If you’re managing yourself alright, then I guess you don’t need to pay anyone to do it.” For her, it makes sense. Susie has made herself invaluable.

Midge smiles wryly. “Honestly, if I could turn people into toads my control would probably be out in the open. I can’t see Yennefer bowing to a king.”

For the first time around Midge, he feels kind of awkward and he looks down at his feet. "Yeah, I guess I don't."

Is he managing himself alright? He isn't sure. This "industry" has been a hell to navigate. What does success look like here anyway? Jaskier never thought that something could give the Continent politics a run for their money.

He looks up again with a snort. "And that's probably why she didn't last long in the job. But don't ask her unless she brings it up first. Even I don't know all the details."

“What’s wrong?” she asks. The shift in his mood is evident. Was it something that she said?

“I won’t. So what you’re saying is that the magic users actually control everything where you come from?”

Magic users and non-magic users have clashed on Earth since the beginning of time. It’s only recently that they’ve finally started to put their differences aside.

Usually, he's the one telling Geralt to open up, share his troubles so they can work on them. Talking about your feelings is important! Right now, though, he doesn't want to ruin the mood. And being unsure about his career is one of the few insecurities he has, which he isn't proud of.

"Just frustration about feeling like an eighteen-year-old again. Don't worry." It's not a complete lie, at least. He does feel like a little bird newly out of the nest again.

"I wouldn't say everything, but they're indeed one of the main groups of power. But don't include Geralt in that. Sorcerers may be fine, but witchers are seen as the lowest of the low." He kinda growls that last part, forever angry at the bigotry.

Midge could push, but she won’t. Jaskier will hopefully tell her in time. This industry isn’t easy. It takes a long time to get anywhere, and having to start all over again must be agonizing.

“That’s what he is? A ‘witcher’?” Midge turns her eyes towards Geralt. “Seems like he performs a pretty important function for everyone. And looks hot while doing it.”

Yennefer is well out of earshot. Midge thinks she’s safe.

He has to laugh at that, even if he does agree with it.

"Next time he comes back covered in monster guts, I'll make sure to stop at your place so you can have a good sniff." He pauses and taps his chin, pretending to think hard about the subject. "Although I don't know if I want you to talk about his tits instead of mine."

Talking about Geralt's tits is his job!

She nods seriously. “It’s true. I might end up working them into my act. I haven’t even seen them and I’m sure they’re impressive.” Midge eyes Jaskier. “Yours aren’t so bad either.”

Despite the fact that she’s trying to remain aloof tonight, flirting with Jaskier is like breathing. Midge does it naturally without even thinking about it.

"I ended up working them into a song, so trust me, seeing them will change you forever. Biggest tits you'll ever admire in your life."

He isn't even kidding, even if he's keeping up the teasing. A hand is raised to ask for a drink - they could go back to the table, but they're having fun here and he isn't about to ruin that. It's how he always acts in clubs, anyway - it's rare for him to stay at a table, he flutters from pretty face to pretty face.

"Mine are cozier." Wink~.

“I don’t know if I should be offended,” Midge says with an exaggerated pout. “I have the most life-changing tits, thank you very much.”

She declines another drink, planning to leave soon. Before leaving her apartment earlier, she’d told her parents that she wouldn’t be out late tonight. It’s the least she can do after spending the night in Midtown last night.

“They’re very cozy,” she agrees. “I liked sleeping on them.”

He's dying to kiss that pout, but since she's holding back on the affection, he'd better follow along. More tapping of his chin.

"Mmh, since those two are enhanced by magic, I suppose you do win first place for best tits." He turns around to look at 'those two' and sees they're leaving the table. "Fuck, I should say goodbye." But first he turns to Midge- "Are you staying for a dance, at least?"

With Geralt and Yennefer leaving, that should be Midge’s cue as well. Then Jaskier asks for a dance and Midge raises her eyebrows.

“Is… that what you want?”

She guesses he's not in any hurry to pick out who he’s going home with tonight. Midge would still like to be gone before he starts looking.

...ah. He got so comfortable chatting with her that he forgot about the whole deal. Jaskier winces at the question and rubs his forehead.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot. It's so easy to get lost in conversation with you." He takes a moment to make a gesture at his friends, asking them to wait. "Whatever you choose to do, I'll respect it. No hard feelings." A soft smile. "I can even ask Geralt to give you a ride, if you want to test the tit theory."

She smiles, then is quiet for a moment, thinking.

“I should probably go. I told my parents that I wouldn’t be out very late tonight.” Midge scoffs at that. “Oi, I sound 16… Anyway, I’ll take a ride if he’s offering one.”

It’s best if she leaves now. Dancing with him will only make her want him when she knows that she can’t have him tonight.

He laughs at her comment. "I bet you didn't do anything like this when you were 16." A waste, if you ask him. He takes her hand and kisses it. "Thank you for coming. It meant a lot."

They join the others at the door and Jaskier convinces Geralt to give Midge a ride without much trouble. They discuss the drinks and the club, which Yennefer and Geralt appreciated because they felt comfortable in. Still not exactly their scene, but better than the average 'classy' restaurant - those may be calmer, but they get stared at a lot (and not for sexy reasons).

Geralt gets on his bike and offers Midge the other helmet with an arched eyebrow.

"Or is your hair delicate too?"

"Oi!" Jaskier complains, knowing that's a jab at him. Yennefer just looks amused.

Midge kisses his cheek again. “Thank you for inviting me. You were wonderful and I had a great time.” She really did, even if she thinks she likes it better when Jaskier sings for her one on one.

Riding a motorcycle in her dress and heels is going to be interesting, but Midge is game. She takes the offered helmet and straps it on her head. “My skull is more delicate than my hair.” It’s the end of the night anyway. Her hair can get messed up.

She turns to Jaskier before she leaves. “Will you text me?” Having him text her is probably easier than her trying to divine when he’s alone and ready to talk.

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Yen would hate Imogene lmao

she absolutely would

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