eachdraidh | 3rd libretto | video

[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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[At least he isn't getting asked to sing. PHEW.]

Well, that is very New Years. So it's appropriate.

Right? [ Nudge, nudge. ] Ryaaaaannnnnnn.

What makes you think I can sing Sinatra? [A pointed look at Kelsi, but he's keeping the camera off of himself. Ready, Jack?] Ready when you are.

[And when Kelsi starts to play, Ryan, of course, actually can sing perfectly fine. It's evident there's been years of practice poured into his art and even though he's still laying on top of the piano he's just singing all the way through the song until the last few notes end. He's let the locket dangle dangerously close to Kelsi's fingers to get a close-up of her playing but when the music stops he speaks.]

Well. Not exactly like the original but just as good, right?

[ Kelsi laughs--this is obviously something they've done before, something that's very easy for the both of them. She plonks a few random chords just to goof around, and then leans into the locket's view. ]

You sing the next one, Jack. C'mon, it's fun!

[Jack laughs with delight when Ryan starts to sing. He's not necessarily the Broadway kind of guy himself, but when things were rather quiet sometimes in his timeline, he remembers feeling pretty excited during the fifties when music seemed to bloom with energy. It was one of his comforts during a fragile time.]

I think I'll pass on that. I'm not really a singer.

[A big fat lie.]

Hang out with me and Kelsi long enough and you will be. [A shrug. It's true though, that's pretty much Kelsi's MO. She encourages people to sing even when they don't want to do, he...usually just sings because he's good at it.] Besides, not only is music the gift that keeps on giving it's like the universal language. Kinda like math, but I'm not that good at math so I stick with music.

[...that's not the point though.]

You probably sound fine.

C'mon! Just a few bars, and we'll leave you alone.

Really? I'd toss laughter more into "universal language" territory. [Oh, that was quite sappy. Well, hmm.

But singing? Nah, that wasn't his thing. Not publicly anyway. Not that he was the embarrassed type ~~but he is~~, it was just weird to do it when people could hear him do it. That'd definitely be a first.

He's about to protest again before he breathes out a sigh and finally just tosses out a few notes.]

Fly me to the moon. Let me play amongst the stars.

I thought laughter was the best medicine? [Ryan you're arguing semantics, knock it off. Still though. Still, he's just as impatient and greedy as Kelsi when it comes to wanting to hear people sing so when Jack looks like he's going to say no, he prepares an argument.

As it turns out though he doesn't have to use it, and the locket sort of just dangles uselessly in front of him as he casts Kelsi a look that clearly says "what the hell I was NOT expecting that." Even though the singing is short-lived, when Ryan turns the locket to face him again he's just staring at Jack with really, really wide eyes.]

...I...wow. Did not see that one coming...[The last bit is mumbled to himself and to Kelsi, though there's definitely a pleased look that follows.] You seriously thought you could be friends with us and never share that you can sing like that?

I think that just made me swoon. [ It's more to herself, and she's looking at Ryan with utmost confusion.

That just came out of Jack? Ryan, you have exactly three seconds to stop her before--

--no too late ]

You should really come sing with us! Maybe with you we can actually put something on, like a famous musical here. If I can get the libretto and scripts through boons, and we can cast Jack as the lead--well, we'd have to hold auditions--but Jack you'd be shoe-in for sure!--I'd have to realize the size of the cast, and figure out who wants to be in it, but if we pave the way with something that's been done before it'll make it easier to pitch something that we can write, and with your help, Jack---oh! We could do Plaid Tidings? No, Christmas is over. Maybe How to Suceed if we get enough dancers!

Unless you want to go a different more serious route, because then we can look at Sondheim and definitely steer away from Robert Lopez--

[Annnnd Ryan's just leaning over and gently covering Kelsi's mouth with his hand.] Kels, please don't scare him off. I like this one. [But he looks back at the camera, and it's clear that even though he's stopping her from rambling he's thinking along the same lines.]

We sort of put together our senior musical last year. [Sort of of course meaning "Kelsi composed I choreographed and we were accepted to Juilliard."] And sometimes people have their things they're overexcited about...you have snow, I have dance, Kelsi has making people sing for her so she can play pretty music, but How to Succeed would be an awesome show to put together. [He's grinning, but he's letting go of Kelsi and sitting upright again.

And then something dons of him.] Wait why does Jack get to be the lead? [Wow that's rude. Whatever though, he's just giving Jack another closer look.] Have you seen any Broadway shows in the last 300 years?

[Whoa, whoa, whoa! And this was why he had kept his mouth shut, eyes now squinting as suddenly an array of plans that he definitely does not want to get involved with are thrown at him.]

Huh. Well, I can tell you that I'm not really a leading musical kind of guy so I'll have to pass on that. [He likes to put on a show, mainly of snowballs and fun times, but he wasn't exactly up for song and dance performances.]

And of course I have. Spirits like to stay well-rounded in contemporary culture, you know. [Well, this one did.] I even always got in for free.

[ Sorry, Jack. Kelsi's disappointment is very, very visible. ]

3rd libretto | video | open to all

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