3rd libretto | video | open to all

[playmakings]

[For anyone familiar with any semblance of the Wildcats, the pose Ryan and Kelsi are in is incredibly familiar, with Kelsi behind a large piano in the Seelie palace, comfortable and smiling, even if her hair is incredibly messed up and she’s in the equivalent of her pyjamas, glasses haphazardly perched on her face as she slapped them on in a hurry.]

I didn’t know there was actually a piano here--must be left over from a shardbearer, right?

[Occasionally the camera rocks back and forth as if whoever’s holding Kelsi’s locket is spinning it, but eventually it settles and Ryan answers as his free hand comes down to walk his fingers along the keys.]

Probably. Maybe you should just consider it a Christmas present?

Oh, yeah. I missed Christmas. [ She sounds nonchalant, of course, but anyone who actually spends two minutes with her can probably recognize she’s a little bummed about literally sleeping through her world’s celebration period. Good job, Kels. ] Hey--your locket? [ But she looks incredibly at home, hands already finding their place among the ivory keys. ]

[There’s a hum like Ryan’s not really paying attention, tone light when he speaks.]

Can’t remember if this one’s mine or yours. I kinda threw everything into one bag when we left the infirmary. But if you’re asking what I think you’re asking, the answer’s yes. [The chipper grin is practically visible just from the tone. He knows Kelsi is going to pick up on the implications immediately. He’s pulling her into the spotlight whether she wants it or not. Sorry.] ...hey. Know what we both missed this year? Christmas movie night.

I missed Peanuts! [Her lips turn downward, and it’s hard to tell if it’s a thoughtful pause or just her pouting before she starts playing one of her favourite tunes. It’s a little selfish of her not to play the main theme, but it was always the most fun to play. She looks up at Ryan while she plays, fingers gliding expertly across the keys like skates on ice.] Well, since you’re recording... I guess this is a little East High spirit for Drabwurld? This is something we do every year around this time, play and listen and watch stuff like this, so… Oh.

[She blinks.] I guess this is my belated present to you guys.

[Of course he’s recording, and it’s why the camera’s solely on Kelsi even as he talks.] Music’s kinda like the gift that keeps on giving, you know? And surprisingly Kelsi knows more than one song. [Is he teasing her? Yes he is.] Anyway she’ll be more than happy to take requests, too, won’t you, Kels?

If I can play it! [She’s still tapping away at the keys.] I know a lot more classical music, but I’m good with pop songs, too.

You’re good with a lot of things. [He’s just scolding her lightly as though they’re used to having this conversation, arguing about Kelsi’s skill level.] Guess now’s as good a time as any for musical education.



[ ooc: pink is kelsi, blue is ryan--responses will mostly come from kelsi, but ryan may threadjack! ]

Comments

video;

[depicted]

[HOLY SHIT THERE IS A PIANO WHY DID HE NOT THINK TO LOOK FOR A PIANO THERE IS A PIANO

wow that's pretty music! it is so foreign to his ears, trained in the Romantic music of Schumann and Chopin and raised on a legacy of the Classical works.]

I haven't ever heard a song like that before. When was it composed? It is so—novel!

video;

[playmakings]

[ Kelsi smiles, and maybe she's blushing. Maybe. It means there's someone who's listening and listening with wonder. ]

I'm not sure, maybe 1960? It's really old, but I listen to it every year, almost. I have since I was little. Do you like piano?

video;

[truesight]

[ she should probably say something more eloquent, or like, worthwhile, but the first thing that comes out of her mouth is- ]

Yes!

[ she's just excited, okay. ]

Where are you guys?? I want to come hang out!

video;

[playmakings]

There's a music room in here! [ Kelsi would wave, but her hands are busy. Instead, she just beams and hopes her smile is as welcoming as she feels. ] I'm just amazed there's--this-- [ Because piano is her life, really. ]

You wanna come sketch?

video;

[notyetlegend]

[Staring. Staaaaring. Squinting.]

What...is that an instrument?

video;

[choreographics]

Hey Merida! [He's not even perturbed at this point.] It's an instrument in our world, anyway. It's called a piano. [He's tilting the video so that there's a clear view of Kelsi's fingers flying over the keys.]

Nothing like this where you're from?

[Video]

[dragonring]

[Now that's a song he actually knows! He's been sticking to the music he has in his cellphone since he arrived mostly out of homesickness, and Peanuts sure hits him right in the nostalgia.]

Sweet! You should ask the fairies if they can get you a dancing dog.

[Video]

[playmakings]

We could always just dress you up as snoopy. Can you dance?

Private Video

[bythewaves]

That is a lovely sound little bard. [ Someone has been listening appreciatively ] Although I do not recognize the instrument. You were asleep? Ah, it explains why I had not heard you for a while. I am glad that you are awake now.

Private Video

[playmakings]

[ oh no, Maglor. Oh no.

That reddening of her face? Totally real. She's not flustered, but she is blushing, embarrassed. Maglor's sort of like a mentor to her, music wise, even if he doesn't realize it. For some reason she never thought he'd actually see her playing. She keeps it up, though, just being a little more critical of herself in her mind. ]

It's a piano--you have your harp. [ Lyre? ] and I have this. The most comfortable fit, right?

Video

[scorchedchivalry]

It is good to see you, dear Bard. I had feared you the worst when I did not see you at the Barrel's Yule party.

Video

[playmakings]

[ That causes her to stop playing entirely. And no, Ryan, you did not just see her turn really, really red. ]

You were there?! I could have.... [ Yeah, let's trail that off for now. ]

video;

[writeswrongs]

[Castle doesn't play any instruments, though Alexis played violin for a while. He always enjoyed hearing her play, even in the screeching cat days when she was still learning. Castle's pleased to hear that Kelsi is really good.]

Oh man, I missed Peanuts too. That's usually a yearly tradition.

video;

[playmakings]

You, too, huh? Hot chocolate, next to family and friends, right?

I miss it.

video;

[survivra]

[ there's almost a petulant huff in her voice ]

Sometimes I feel as though I'm speaking halfway in a different language with you two.

But it's nice—finally hearing the music. And seeing you both, with Kelsi awake to play it.

video;

[playmakings]

It's not mine-- [ She's very quick to point that out. ] --I mean, I didn't compose it.

[ But Katsa is talking to her, and words are a little hard right now. ]

Thank you, though. I'm--uhm, glad you like it. And that I'm awake, too.

video.

[impeaches]

Your talent is as incredible as I imagined, Kelsi.

[ And he didn't even say 'my lady'. Aren't you proud? ]

video.

[playmakings]

[ SHE IS. And she stops playing with one hand just long enough to wave vigorously. ]

Renly, hiya! I'm glad you like it! Oh--have you met Ryan?

video

[wolvering]

[Pod doesn't know what to make of the piano, but she likes the music. She looks like she might be half-considering swaying along to the song.]

I've never seen an instrument like that before. I don't suppose you'd know Dragon and Phoenix?

[She's laughing and shaking her head even as she asks the question.] Not, I suspect; it was new even at home.

video

[playmakings]

Ummm... [ She'll stop playing, think for a moment, and then play a few bars of Puff the Magic Dragon with one hand, wrinkling her nose. ] That's as close as I can get.

Can you sing it to me?

video.

[winterwork]

As long as you don't burst out with some Wham! That song is pretty horrible. [Oh, how many times has he rolled his eyes when someone breaks into a chorus of "Last Christmas"? There's nothing even Christmas-y about it.]

Any good with Sinatra, by any chance?

video.

[playmakings]

I'll play it, but only if Ryan sings.

[ Adamant. 8| ]

New York New York?

action;

[choreographics]

[After her conversation with Saber, Ryan started to think. And when Ryan started to think, Ryan started to plot and when Ryan started to plot? Well everybody was kinda in trouble.

Nevertheless he's on his (mostly) best behavior as they keep talking to people on the network, indulging in some of their visitors and it's only after everybody's left them alone and he's settled on the piano again that he feels like he can talk to her. His fingers are occasionally dangling over keys to help her play a song or two, but he's eventually turning his head to look at her.]

So. You have a date. [This is very much a face of "what the fuck why didn't you tell me who is she I'm your best friend goddamnit Kelsi you're going to let me pick out your clothes you can't go like that and did I already ask who is she?"]

action;

[playmakings]

NO! I mean--yes--but I--I don't know. Ryan. Ryan the words just came out and--

[ She's going to grab Ryan by the shoulders, panicked and scared. ]

What do I do?!

[ YOU HAVE TO HELP HER RYAN ]

video;

[dawndiaries]

[oh, wow, music! the first of any kind she's heard in weeks to be quite honest... and she recognizes ryan's face from before so she definitely replies with a cheerful smile.]

Whoa, that was pretty amazing. Of course I don't think my ears heard anything that beautiful in weeks... Uhm, you really mean to take requests? What pop songs do you know?

video;

[playmakings]

Um--I can do Katy Perry? I can do some Taylor Swift, too.

video; locked.

[jaywalks]

... Ryan, what're you doing on that piano?

video; locked.

[choreographics]

[...oops. Hey Mako. Ryan's just...going to keep the video on Kelsi's hands even though he's responding to him.]

Would you believe me if I said that this actually isn't unusual where we're from? I like the view.

[Or, more accurately, he likes being above everything and everyone, including Kelsi.]