Private Finished Asking a Favour

It was quite a busy night at the House of Volkov, as it usually was when Fe was performing. Jake was swept off of his feet trying to keep up with the orders. His current role as a waiter was quite different from his first job in a quiet store but it made things more interesting. Plus, there was live music and there was something even more comforting that the place was run by other wolves. Perhaps it was a kind of pack instinct but Jake always felt more at ease around his kind.

Laying down drinks in front of the customers on one table, he looked over as Fe was walking out of the restaurant. Jake tucked the tray under his arm and made his way over as she fixed her makeup in a mirror. There was something he had been meaning to ask her. School would soon be over and he needed to get out into the world. College didn't seem like much of an option and Eve had recommended that he should pursue a career that he loved and was truly good at.

Having little confidence in terms of performing, Jake had only played in front of two people - one of those by accident. He loved music; he loved making music. There was just that one obstacle of stage fright that he needed to overcome.

"It's going great Fe. Rushed off my feet tonight," he laughed with a pretend sigh. "You were amazing tonight!" Jake replied and he meant it. He was a pretty big fan of hers and if anything, made him want to become a musician even more so. "Hey, listen. Can I ask you a pretty big favour?" His hand awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. It may not be that big of a favour but it felt like it to him.

Jake pulled an embarrassed face as he noticed her gaze pass over him. "Erm... not that kind of favour," he awkwardly laughed off. Unwillingly, his cheeks turned a little red in response as his hand moved from the back of his neck to fiddle with the tray tucked under his arm.

Caught a little off guard, it was even harder to ask now. "I- I was just wondering... since you sing here and the Fox Hole, whether you'd maybe see if I can perform there sometime?" His face gave an uneasy smile as he was preparing for rejection. He could probably ask Rada or someone in the House of Volkov if he could perform there but he already worked there as a waiter. It seemed best to keep the two separate.

Jake knew that Fe was seeing the owner of the Fox Hole, hence she could help get his foot in the door. Feeling like she may see it as him using her, saving her the stress of having to say no and the doubt that he would actually be able to perform in front of a live audience made him change his mind. "You know what, it's fine, don't worry about. They probably have amazing artists already and I'm just a kid. It was a silly idea." Again he laughed it off, regretting asking in the first place.

Jake's expression reverted back to serious when he heard that it was possible. "You can?" he asked with surprise. "No, no, even a chance would be amazing. Thanks!" Jake couldn't help but wear a beaming grin on his face. Maybe he could actually do this. Well, it was on the first tiny hurdle and there were other larger ones to cross but it was a start.

Of course, he still needed to perform for either Fe or Jericho which was daunting. However, if he couldn't perform for one person then how was he supposed to do it in front of a whole crowd. "Deal," he said with conviction, trying to convince himself that he was confident with the idea.

There was a strange whirlwind of excitement and terror in his stomach. People could actually go out of their way to see him play. It seemed like an odd concept but one that he hoped would happen. The tray came from under his arm and was held against his stomach, his hands clutching the sides of it excitedly.

Jak giggled and smiled at Fe as she began to leave. "Thank you so much for this," he repeated, not quite believing she agreed to help. Perhaps maybe he should have replied with some quip about there is no competition or made some sort of joke but in the moment, he couldn't think of what to say. "Have a good night!" he greeted, hurrying back to the tables that needed his attention.