eachdraidh | 3rd libretto | video

Entry tags:

3rd libretto | video | open to all

[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! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ oh no no no no this is bad because someone's talking about music and Kelsi's face lights up. She misses a few beats because she's so happy that someone else is as enthused, but quickly finishes the song and then begins to play a medley she spent her summer practicing before heading to New York. ]

It's really refreshing to see someone into music! I mean--there's this musical, Wicked, and then Peanuts, that's what I was playing before, but there's some really good contemporary ones like Next to Normal, and the usual old classics like Porgy and Bess, I really like that one--but there's normal music, too, like, pop music? I really like Jesse McCartney, oh! And--

[ Wait. ]

What year is it, where you're from?

[No, this is perfect, he is so happy. If it were possible to light up more at her performance, he would. What a fascinating medley! What a vista of new compositions yet on the horizon of music!

Music nerds alert, watch out. With their powers combined . . .]

[He laughs, and it is a little shy but less than it would have been a month ago, as he confesses,] Perhaps it is very obvious from my ignorance about, oh, everything you named, but it seems to be long before your time. It was the 1881 when I was brought here.

[Hold on sorry excuse him he's going to keep the camera on Kelsi but he's cutting in to talk]

1881. Not a lot of selection then, huh? [He can't even fathom the idea of music (or lack thereof) back then]

[What? This voice from the side—the boy from the beginning of the message—surprises him with such a claim.] Of course there is! There is Schumann, and Chopin, and Beethoven, and Wagner and Mozart, and Liszt, Saint-Saëns, and so many others. And the Japonists have been bringing back Japanese music and instruments, and I have heard of strange and foreign sounds coming to England from Africa and the Southern Americas.

[Sorry man, just because his best friend is a total piano nerd doesn't mean that he is. He appreciates classical music and he knows how to play a little himself, but all of that isn't as impressive to him as it would be to Kelsi. Still, he's just patiently waiting for the other man to finish, lifting his eyebrows at Kelsi like he's trying to ask her if she recognizes all of that.]

That may be true, but it's all still one type of genre isn't it? [A shrug even though it can't be seen.] I'm as big of a fan of Beethoven as the next guy but I also like seeing what else is out there.

[OH MY GOD THIS IS OFFENSIVE]

Chopin and Beethoven are not the same kind of music in the slightest! You might as well say Thomas Tallis and Georges Bizet composed in the same genre!

[SERIOUSLY IN SHOCK HERE]

[Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa okay. He knows he just opened Pandora's box here when it comes to music and he's honestly torn between being bewildered and trying not to laugh at the indignation that's coming through.

Still though. It's obvious that Dorian's passionate and he'd be a total idiot not to recognize that. Sorry man, just one more question and then he'll (probably) stop interrupting all of Kelsi's conversations.]

How would you describe the difference then?

I would describe it as obvious. [ Her turn to ease as she watches the entire exchange. ] This guy's Ryan, and he's what we call 'new school' in our world. He's only in it from Showboat on wards.

Edited (accidental infomodding gj me) 2014-12-29 04:25 (UTC)

[Seeing Kelsi again calms down Dorian's indignation. He supposes not everyone of the modern era can be as well-versed in musical history as she is.

Kelsifan4lyfe tbh.]

I'm going to assume that is another of those musicals you mentioned?

[ She laughs, and though she's still playing, she smiles brightly at Ryan. No offense to her best friend, of course, she's just teasing. ]

Yeah. We're actually going to a special school to learn all about music. I'm the one that took classical history, though. He took history of dance. [ And she stops playing, suddenly excited. ] You should see Ryan dance! And--if you like playing music, you should come and we could maybe play something together? And if you really like it, or if you can sing or act, then you could always be in a musical we're writing! It's okay if you don't know how, Ryan and I will teach you, we're really good at that. You could be the brave knight that falls for the princess!

Edited (i can spell ok) 2014-12-29 23:32 (UTC)

I would love to! [ART!!] To all of it! I mean, I cannot precisely act, but it would be my pleasure to play a duet with you, and to watch Ryan dance. And to learn more of these 'musicals'.

[AND TO BE A BRAVE KNIGHT shut up a kid can have dreams]

[ Kelsi laughs--not at Dorian, of course, but more because this entire situation is absolutely delightful. ] I couldn't act, either, but I learned from Ms. Darbus, and she was a good teacher. Anyone can act, even if they've snapped their cap like she did.

[ Careful though, Dorian, she's excited now. And speaking of classes: ]

Do you want to read my history textbook? It's all about classical music and the evolution and sociological implications regarding change and invention of different music genres in North America and Europe.

[WHEN TWO NERDS COLLIDE]

I should love to! [And then he smiles right at her, all boyish enthusiasm.] But to read of music without having the opportunity to hear it is simply unjust. You must promise me to play for me from these unfamiliar species of song.

[ Oh, no. Dorian, you've managed to fluster her. Not that it takes much but she's reminding herself not to let Ryan make video entries with the locket because it's really easy to tell when her face is read. ]

Well... How about instead of just playing them for you, I help you learn? And--um, if you compose, I mean--maybe you want to take a look at mine?

[ Don't sound too hopeful he might disagree DON'T SOUND SO HOPEFUL shit too late ]

[He's just so excited and happy, this is wonderful. He doesn't even notice the red.] You compose? I would be delighted to read your work, and to be taught by you to play music yet to come.

[ Her words are rushed, excited: ] I wrote the musical that was used at my high school, and I did a revue for the talent show at my summer job, and I wrote our senior year musical, too--and Ryan choreographed all of them, it was really good, so we both got into Julliard and--

--I mean, uh. Yeah, I compose. Sorry--it's just that it's really rare around here to have someone appreciate music for music, you know?

[The smile he offers her is calm, confident, reassuring. It a smile he has learned for having it turned on him in his moments of flustered enthusiasm.] I understand entirely. It is a true delight to meet someone who understands an art that means so much to me.

what's your favourite? Composer, I mean.

[ She's literally chinhandsing oh dear god ]

[He ducks his head, a little shy. Dorian bites his lip, trying to decide before he says out loud.]

If I had to pick, it must be Schumann. I do not know if I would call him superior to others, but I have a personal attachment to his music.

[Dorian looks up at her.] Who is yours?

Well, he's modern, but I really like Sondheim. [ She starts to play, talking as she does so. ] He's still alive where--when--I'm from, so he's definitely someone you're unfamiliar with, but if I can charge my iphone, but you might like Sunday in the Park with George! It's all about this painter, Georges Seurat, and his painting called 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.'

[Oooh, new notes.] Perhaps you could charge it at the Station? I could take it there with you. We could listen together! [Stop you're making him so excited]

I could! Do you want to go with me, maybe? Ryan can come, too, if he wants. We can just hang out, and get milkshakes.

I have no idea what a milkshake is, but I should love to have one with you and Ryan.

...I guess the question is do you know what ice cream is? Has ice cream been invented in your timeline yet?

[Yeah. Yeah, he'll stay out of the composition nerd talk but he'll happily talk about junk food thank you Ryan your contribution is important.]

Yes, of corse! It is a rare treat, but a delightful one.

[the joys of being rich as fuck in the 1800s: ice cream, motherfuckers]

[also hot chocolate]

[HE LOVES SWEETS DON'T JUDGE HIM]

3rd libretto | video | open to all

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;