18 Staged

Ann and Brittney slept well and relaxed. They took their bath early in the morning before any others awoke. Still, they sped through because a certain someone was watching. John, understandably, was disappointed.

The duo had a performance at the Drinking Crow bar this afternoon. It was uneventful to arrive, but the women had questions for John and they had ample time to waste. They used the backroom for wine storage to prepare. First, the ladies looked at their clothes.

"Aren't these a bit too sheer?" Ann asked.

"Yeah, when we bought them, these frilled tops didn't look like they had these holes at the sides and back…"

"I feel cheated of our money. These skirts are too short."

John pouted, "Hey! It's all part of the fashion. FASHION! If you're dressing like a performer, working like a performer, and living like a performer, try to act like one too!"

"Don't forget we're doing this because of our deal. If this fails, we're not listening to anything you have to say. We can handle ourselves, little sh*t."

"F*ck! No need to get all worked up about it. It's just clothes! I mean, you're going to change out of them after it is all over. Just think of how many followers we can get from this!"

"We're performing at a dinky bar, you dumb*ss, little sh*t!" Ann growled.

"Hey. We gotta start somewhere, eh?" John said.

"I already started at playing the lyre, dancing, and singing to my own music…"

"That doesn't count since I'm making you an IDOL!!! Now, we gotta practice."

"Why do I have the chills?" Brittney shivered.

"John's acting weirder than usual…" Ann squeaked.

"Let's BEGIN!!!"

Five hours of grueling training and a quick break later…

"You're both ready! I can say with confidence that you're gonna be a knockout!" John cheered.

"Really? I feel like my very soul was violated and I broke some unspoken taboo…"

"Yeah, Ann, I feel creeped out that you're listening to a voice in your head and helped me prepare for this performance."

"I'm sure it's fine! Don't mess it up and we are bound to gain traction! I can feel it."

"So you say, little sh*t…"

Ann and Brittney looked through the curtains. There was a small stage surrounded by seats. Older, greasy, and gruff men filled the bar. A younger man went through the front door but backed out because of their strange chatter and faces. They breathed heavily and chatted heartily. Mugs of cheap ale spread on their tables, some eating too.

Howard the Barkeep twisted his thin mustache as his pet crow cawed in excitement. The whole places was abuzz and waited for the ladies to show themselves.

"They're disgusting!" Brittney hissed. Her face crinkled up like a sour lemon.

"I didn't expect much but it's even worse since we're performing THAT."

"I don't think I can do this, Ann!"

"We've got no choice. Be strong. For us," Ann nodded.

"For us!"

They walked out, wrapped in cloaks. The older men looked on in confusion. Then, it started!

Ann and Brittney tossed off their cloaks and began singing!

"If I—I! Were a woman!" Ann sang, high and strong.

"If I—I! Were in love!" Brittney accompanied after.

""Then I'd want a man to be my true fan!"" they sang as a duet.

"He'd follow me through all!" sang Ann.

"He'd follow, beck and call!" sang Brittney.

The older men stopped understanding their words at that point. They only heard melodious voices lifting them to heavenly bliss. In their lustful eyes, those delicate bodies swayed back and forth.

Their hands entangled and their bodies twirled and twisted. Skin showed and their breasts pressed together. Their legs spread and spun and hopped. What a stimulating performance it was! It ended as quickly as it started.

Ann sweated slightly while Brittney gasped for air. They held hands and bowed in sync.

"Yeah!!!"

"More!!!"

"Kiss!"

"Show us more!!!"

"Dance!!!"

"I love you!"

"Beautiful!"

"Yes!!!"

Seasoned men cheered happily and raised a glass. A few tossed coins. It was a success!

"I told you it would work, Ann!"

"We still have to build a fanbase."

"I… did… good…" Brittney said, exhausted.

"The future is in our grasp, Ann!" John chuckled.

Weeks later…

Ann and Brittney stood on stage, two poles in front of them. Bondo's Band of Musicians tuned their guitar, drums, and lyre. They were at Bob's Bobs and Vegans, a reputable establishment with a wealthy and tightly connected customer base.

It was night and the men grew wild! They tore off their shirts and waved them. They drank and slapped each others' backs. They joked, laughed, and talked.

The ladies began their performance. Their cloaks came off and fluttered backstage. They wrapped around the poles and began dancing away! But… they didn't sing!

Why?

The reason caused shadows to overcast Ann and Brittney's hearts. It tightened around their throats and made them unable to speak. Depression lurked in their minds at all time.

Instead of being interested in the idol performance, the men of Breightbale rapidly descended into debauchery. They demanded the ladies to dance more and more provocatively. They didn't care about the lyrics or their voices. The men just wanted to eye some hot *sses!

At first, John was heartbroken and his dreams were crushed. The very next day, John broke out plan B: Stripteasing! It was cheap, simple, and popular!

Better yet, John got to watch the whole show! Sadly, John didn't gain any followers in the process, since there wasn't any promotions for his religion when his Apostle and Priestess were busy shaking their *sses.

It didn't need to be explained why they also left the Husky Lodges. That damned receptionist sold tickets to view the public baths from peepholes.

Ann and Brittney were relatively wealthy but they were famous and desired by many men. They had to buy a room in the Chaste Hotel and hire Ingrid, the Junky, as a personal bodyguard. It was an extremely stressful life with brief bursts of shopping and relaxation.

Copycats even appeared, which made the situation precarious! Competition broke out in the first week, almost sweeping Ann and Brittney into the annals of history! Luckily, they gathered a rather dedicated fanbase and found some clout by discovering a new market.

All in all, the group stayed busy as a nondescript carriage made its way to Breightbale...