eachdraidh | 3rd libretto | video

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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! ]

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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?

[She shakes her head.]

That's a pretty tune, but not--

[The second question makes her blush.]

I'm no Bard, so I hesitate to try. Um, I suppose--

[The notes wobble uncertainly, and her voice is thin, though she does have potential. The song is a bardic ballad meant to impart knowledge as much as entertain, and she falls to reciting more than singing quickly. And makes it far enough to detail about a captive phoenix and asking the Dragonlords for help before her awkwardness and not remembering the exact phrasing makes her stumble to a stop.]

[ Kelsi actively listens--she knows what it's like to be sort of embarrassed and have to do something. She finds herself tapping the keys, just a few basic chords as she half-sings, and if she's being honest Pod's voice sounds a lot like hers. A lot.

She smiles encouragingly, keeping the chords quiet, and when Pod finishes she practically beams. Not only is the story good, but Pod did something she doesn't normally do. That's something Kelsi can really commend. She claps happily when it's done. ]

Oh my gosh! That was really good. [ She's being sincere, too. ] Is there a second part about what the Dragonlords do? Do they help the phoenix?

[Pod isn't quite sure how to take the praise of her singing, but she smiles and drops her head, cheeks flaming scarlet.]

Thank you. It would be much better if a Bard or minstrel was singing it though. They'd have a harp to accompany too. And, oh, there's much more! I just haven't heard it enough times to know it all by heart.

The Dragonlords do, or, did, actually. The Bard who wrote it, Otter Heronson, went to Jehanglan with the Dragonlords to free the Phoenix and put all the events to song on his return. It wouldn't be the same as the song, but I could tell you more or less what happened, if you'd like.

I want to be like this Heronson person. [ She's literally chinhandsing now, I hope you're happy. ]

I'd love to hear the rest!

There are many that would! A Bard, a friend to Dragonlords, even one of only two Truehumans ever to get the honor of riding a Llysanyin.

Well, it will be easier for me to start at the beginning so some of this may be repeated!

It started with an escaped slave with the tales of the captive dragon and phoenix in Jehanglan, and he was found by one Raven Redhawkson, and taken to Dragonskeep to meet with the Dragonlords. He told his tail, and it was decided that in spite of the slave's instance, it had been a Truedragon enslaved, so the Truedragons went to war. They were beat back by an army of priestmages and powerful magic and many died.

[Pod has to take a moment, because that part is always heartbreaking.]

Then they returned and it was decided the Dragonlords would go. Lleld Kemberaene would be the leader for it was her idea to sneak in as a troop of entertainers, her soultwin Jekkanadar Surael, with Linden Rathen, and his soultwin Maurynna Kyrissaean, who was the prophesied "Hidden One" who would free the Phoenix, would go too. As would Bard Otter, and his grandnephew Raven. They had the idea of teaching the Llysanyins to dance, because no ordinary horse could ever match their feats, and then two of them chose the Truehumans as riders.

So south they went to Jehanglan, and there it was revealed that the slave was a spy and a kinslayer who had escaped justice. He was working for one of the Jehangli lords who wanted to use the four Dragonlords to form a new prison for the Phoenix. A helpful voice that turned out to be one of the last Jehangli waterdragons warned them in time the the group split in two.

Maurynna Kyrissaean and Raven went one way, and ended up meeting with the man who would become Shima Ilyathan, the newest Dragonlord, and there learned how to break the prison and free both dragon and Phoenix, and the others found refuge with the People of the Horse. When the time came, the imprisoned dragon was freed and so was the Phoenix, but both had been driven mad by their time spent caged and wished to lay waste to all. The Dragonlords, old and new, though tired tried to stop it, but it was the dragon in a last moment of understanding, who ended it, clasping the mad Phoenix to his iron-fettered breast and they both dropped into the flaming temple below.

[Pod finishes with a bright smile.] But out of the flames rose a new Phoenix with eyes of a dragon, and it was guarded until it was strong enough to fly away free. And everyone went home, happy and alive.

... It is so much better when a Bard or minstrel sings it though.

[ She's taking notes. No, seriously. actually doing it, scribbling on a sheet of music paper. ]

I don't think I've ever heard anything more romantic. If you look at it like Romeo and Juliet, I mean. [ What. ] Gosh, the way you tell it, it sounds like it has everything! Danger, mystery, adventure--gosh, do you know any more? Could you sing or explain them?

[ She's maybe a little enthusiastic about this. ]

[Somewhere, an old Bard is caught between facepalming and laughing so hard his sides split, most likely.

In more present activity, Pod is bemused at the note-taking, and she really doesn't know what to make of the romance comment. How...?]

I am not quite sure how it is romantic, really, but I'm glad you liked it. And I do know some more, but again, not near so well as a Bard would. A shame that there are none here from home. Oh the songs and tales they could sing you, if one were.

The concept! The concept. I don't think bids and lizards are meant to kiss. [ She's grinning, though. Yeah, maybe that was worded oddly on her part. ]

I'm glad you're here, though. I mean, to tell me. Not that you don't have important stuff to do at home!

I will accept your authority on the concept being romantic, then. I've always enjoyed adventures more than the courtly love stories.

[Pod smiles, to show that she's not upset.]

I am certain we all do. Is there some tale you would rather hear? Or some kind might be the better question to ask.

Hmmm. What about yours? Your tail, I mean.

[She blushes]

I don't... I'm merely a Beast Healer apprentice. There isn't much that is exciting about me.

[Or there is, but Pod isn't sure she's ready to share nearly getting killed by a madman and then saved by a Dragonlord, much less some of the older parts of her tale. Well, she might be able to talk about finding Kiga; that's a safer topic.]

Well, what if I told you I came from a world where there's no such thing as a beast healer? I'm not even sure what that means.

You may, but use a different word. I'm told in other worlds we are similar to what is called a Veterinarian. We heal beasts, wild and tame, with our magic and with herbs and wrappings and splints.

What might be strange are our brothers-in-fur; they are the animals that share our entire lives, and similar enough to familiars that most folk call them that.

We train at the different chapter-houses of our guild, once we are discovered, and eventually make first Journeyman or Journeywoman, and then full Beast Healer. The eldest and wisest of our order are called Master.

Is that what you wanted to know?

I think being a vet's interesting. [ Maybe a little defensive there, but Kelsi thinks the other girl shouldn't sell herself short at all! ]

I'd like a familiar, but I think Ryan and I are each other's familiar even though we aren't furry or anything. [ It's a very, very bad attempt at a joke, but Kelsi smiles anyway. ] Oh! Speaking of--I'm Kelsi, and this is Ryan. It's nice to meet you.

Useful, out in the world, if nothing else. Beast Healers are favored of the gods, and so respected well enough, even by nobles.

[Not as highly as, say, a Bard, but still, it provides security that many other professions don't have. Pod laughs a little at the joke. At least she thinks it a joke.]

A good friend and a familiar are often one and the same.

[She smiles at Kiga, who is definitely her best friend. Well so is Conor, but it's different with Conor.]

I'm Pod, and this is my brother-in-fur, Kiga.

[Her name translates into Drabbish with the rest of what she says, like the other Yerrin names she's mentioned (Linden and Otter and Raven, mostly), whereas Kiga's doesn't. Yup, she's 'seed pod of a plant.']

[And for the first time in the whole conversation the boy behind the camera actually speaks up. He's been actively listening, watching Kelsi make nice and take notes and the whole thing is...charming, to say the least. Charming and perhaps a tiny bit confusing. There's nothing like these tales back home and even though he's been in the Drabwurld for months they never grow old.]

Pod. [He grins though she can't see it and the camera turns just slightly to catch both himself and Kelsi in-frame.] What Kelsi said, nice to meet you. [He's still analyzing what's in front of him though and when he spots the wolverine....yeah. Yeah he just pauses and lifts an eyebrow.]

So how do people in your world find these brothers-in-fur? Like...are you just born and there's somebody standing off to the side to say "hey happy birthday, here's your own furry beast!"?

[That makes Pod laugh and she shakes her head.]

Nothing like that. We find them. There's a pull, and we are drawn toward them. I almost didn't find Kiga at all, because woods dogs are so shy and rare. We thought for a while that I had none, but it's always a bit more difficult for those Healers that have bonds with wild beasts, and not tame like dogs or cats.

Hah! There, see? You just said your stories weren't interesting. [ She's teasing a little, so sue her. ] Kiga's rare, and you guys have a bond. that's interesting.

Ah, but all Beast Healers have a bond with their brothers-in-fur. And there wasn't much of a daring adventure with a noble hero in it, like Bards' tales so often are. Not much more than day to day life in my tale, at least within the Five Kingdoms.

[She's teasing a little back, because okay, she can see how things like that might be interesting just out of sheer newness.]

Not yet. Your story's not done, right? [A shrug follows and he's much more alert to the conversation.] Plus we definitely don't live within Five Kingdoms. …we don't even live in one kingdom.

[A pause.] So do brothers-in-fur know how to fight, too?

No, my story is not yet done. And if you don't live in a kingdom, what do you live in? Who are your rulers?

[She goes sad.] Kiga has protected me in the past, but I wish he hadn't had to.

A country? [He shrugs.] I mean I guess it's kind of like a kingdom but we don't have a king and the country's split up into a lot of different little places but it's all ruled by the president...but the president has a bunch of people working under him? It's sorta hard to explain.

[Don't think he doesn't pick up on that sadness, Pod.] But he's okay, right?

[Pod has no idea of what to make of that explanation. How can there be a country without rulers? What exactly is a president? A king under another name?]

That is confusing. How is the president chosen? Right of succession?

[She's grim at the other question though.]

Aye, he is now. But it was hard to be so helpless while he went into danger on his own.

By vote, usually, but the vice president can become president by succession if the president dies or has to step down or something. [...oh god wait he and Kelsi are actually old enough to vote in this election and in their world? That's only a few weeks away.

Let's not think about home.]

Isn't there any way to stop him from venturing out by himself? Or does he just...[His hands make a gesture that seem to say "go off on his own without warning."]

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video i meant 'tale' not 'tail' omg im so sorry

video no problem; typos plague us all sometimes

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