Happy Birthday Marie!
@offwithhxrhead You requested a story where Madeline meets someone who could potentially be a new romantic interest, and I hope I have delivered:
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“WOOOOO!”
Madeline eagerly joined in the clapping and stomping of feet as The Pondcrossers finished up their set and departed from the stage. “Awesome show, huh?” a guy next to her said, eyes bright.
“You know it!” Madeline agreed with a beaming grin. “Best night out I’ve had in a while!” And I didn’t even need to get drunk or high off my ass to enjoy myself. Isn’t that a surprise.
“Oh, don’t start with that again,” the Queen of Hearts grumbled from a far corner of her mind. “I’m rather tired of that refrain.”
Yeah, yeah, sorry, Madeline thought back, shaking her head to dispel the negativity before it could take root. I know I’m doing a lot better these days. Been kind of a rough road to get here, sure, but – I’m out, I’m about, Mum and Dad trust me not to do anything stupid. That’s progress. She grinned back at the stage as the crowd began breaking up into smaller groups, friends chatting with friends. And that was a fucking great band! Why the hell they’re playing this place instead of living it up in Hollywood or – or Liverpool is beyond me.
“Liverpool?” the Queen asked, one eyebrow raised.
It was the first thing that came to mind! I don’t know the party towns of England! And asking Mum or Dad isn’t going to help, given the latter grew up in the ass end of nowhere and the former spent most of her life in a psychiatric hospital. Which you didn’t help with.
“Oh, shush and get us something to eat,” the Queen replied, rolling her eyes. “One gets peckish.”
Madeline’s stomach growled in answer. One does – might as well pick up a snack before we hit the road, she agreed, working her way toward the bar. If they serve food here, anyway...places like this always have peanuts or something, right? Eh, if they don’t, I’ll just swing past the nearest burger joint and –
Is that the bass guitarist?
Madeline stopped in her tracks. Perched on a stool at the very end of the bar was indeed The Pondcrossers’ second guitarist – Jean, if Madeline remembered correctly. Which she was pretty sure she did, as she’d spent a lot of the set watching Jean. The woman was exactly the type Madeline liked most – sporting wide hips, generous cleavage, long dark brown hair done up in a braid, and sparkling blue eyes. She’d handled her guitar like she’d been born with it in her hand, rocking in perfect beat with her bandmates and shooting the audience wide, come-hither grins every so often when the music allowed. Just the memory of that smile gave Madeline the shivers –
And now, she was almost within touching distance of the woman. Madeline stared at her, frozen. Holy shit, I didn’t realize...I mean, I guess it makes sense, singing like that is probably thirsty work, but...is it okay if I just – go up to her? I dunno if she’s cool with fans meeting her outside of sets or not...especially fans who might get a little...n-not that I’m gonna do anything but say I liked her music, but she is really fucking gorgeous and I’m on a dry spell and –
“And anyone who said your father’s influence in you is lacking should see you now.”
Cheshire appeared by her feet, winding around her ankles. “You seem stuck fast to the ground,” he observed with his trademark grin. “Purrhaps I should try to claw your feet up?”
“Loathe as I am to agree with that disrespectful creature, you should get moving,” the Queen of Hearts added, draping a tentacle over Madeline’s shoulders. “You are no mere pawn on the board – you are an ace in the pack. And you should act like it.”
Both of you be quiet before I start talking to you aloud! Madeline hissed, then bit her lip as she looked back at Jean. They did have a point – she was getting nowhere just standing there. In fact, she was probably starting to look a little bit creepy. And she did want to at least say “hi.” And tell her how awesome her band was. And if anything else happened...well, it happened. Madeline sucked in a steadying breath, then pried her feet off the floor and made her way over to the stool, trying to exude confidence. “Hi.”
Jean looked over. “Hi!” she said, all friendliness – that was one worry dispelled, at least. “Assuming you saw the show.”
“Yeah – you guys were amazing,” Madeline told her, smiling. “Best band I’ve heard in ages, trust me.” She offered a hand. “Madeline Van Dort.”
Jean took it, shooting her another dazzling smile. “Jean Carpenter. Pleasure to meet you.”
Madeline swallowed as their hands touched. Oh boy. Yup. Major crush. After one night. Gonna be hearing about this in Wonderland for months...worth it. “Pleasure is all mine.”
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