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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Substitute coffee, but yeah. I miss it too.

[His face clouds as he thinks of Kate and Alexis, wondering if he'll ever see them again.]

Hey. [ Kelsi knows that look--picks up on it almost instantly, and she gently stills the keys as well as her hands, looking slightly concerned. That's the look Troy gave everyone when Gabriella disappeared in their last year. ]

Are you okay?

[He nods and rubs his temples for a moment before looking up at the screen again.]

Yeah. It's just... hard being here, you know? I miss my fiancee and my daughter.

Would it help if I started throwing a tantrum and locked myself in the room with angry metal music? Or if I told you Ryan's flunking out of school because he's preoccupied with sports?

[ It's a joke, but that joke leads to something else: ]

You're a writer, right?

Edited 2015-01-04 00:58 (UTC)

[Castle snorts a laugh. He definitely appreciates the joke, even if his daughter doesn't fit those teenage stereotypes.]

I am, yes.

Well--if you don't mind--I'm trying to work on my schoolwork while I'm here, but I have no one that's really good at writing to take a look at my essays. Maybe you could help?

And maybe you could help Ryan, too?

[ A) ryan is not getting out of normal stuff like schoolwork if Kelsi has anything to say about it and B) she may or may not be setting Ryan up for a private tutoring sort of deal for his English.

Playmaker strikes again. ]

Kelsi. [Yes, that's a hiss from the other side of the camera. He's been perfectly content working on his dancing and not his normal schoolwork, thank you. Also he's not exactly okay with anyone else knowing he's not that strong in writing. Or reading, for that matter. He can read scripts perfectly fine and that's all he needs to know.]

I'm pretty sure Mr. Castle has other stuff to do besides look at schoolwork nobody's gonna grade. [...] Right?

I could always grade it. [He smirks.] But seriously, you were transported to a magical fairy land and you're still trying to do homework? You and my daughter would get along so well.

[ You are so not getting away from it, Ryan, and Kelsi shoots a Look. ]

I just figure we all need some normalcy, and there's nothing more normal about homework.

...Besides, if I come back and I don't know anything for my midterms, I don't wanna be kicked out. I need to have a high average to even get anywhere in the composing world.

[ Holy crap she's turning into Gabriella. ]

Edited (i sure do know my canon) 2015-01-06 02:43 (UTC)

Honestly, I'm happy to look over your essays if you want me to. I just kind of think you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. If we can call the Drabwurld a gift horse.

I've never felt more like Taylor McKessie in my life.

[ That bit was just to herself, it seems, and she doesn't realize she's said it out loud. ]

This place isn't so bad. I mean--there's war, but at least we're all together, right?

I don't think I know Taylor McKessie.

It could be worse. And the war is.. avoidable.

[ Don't focus on the war. It's avoidable. Maybe Castle is right? She clears her throat. ]

Everyone knows a Taylor McKessie. Super smart, really organized, always studies or practices, and never takes anyone's crap?

Yeah that's my daughter, actually. I didn't know 'Taylor McKessie' was a euphemism for that.

[It can be avoidable if you want it to be. It seems there are many here who avoid the war.]

[ She laughs. ] We'd probably get alone well, I'm guessing.

You probably would.

[He likes Kelsi. The talk about Alexis is making him even more homesick though, so he changes the subject.]

Have you written a lot of original songs?

Not very many-- [ And before Ryan can stop her, she presses on: ] I'm always looking to improve, though, because it's something I'm really passionate about.

[Uh, noooo.]

What Kelsi's failing to mention is that she's written our last two school musicals by herself and our last one earned her a scholarship for Juilliard.

[So there.]

[ And Kelsi, in turn, narrows her eyes. ] Ryan got into Julliard as an exception to the one-scholarship rule because he's choreographed every single musical he's been in since middle school.

[Color Castle impressed. Why so modest, Kelsi?]

You wrote two entire musicals yourself? That's more than most songwriters can do. You do realize that, right?

Well--I mean, I was only a teenager, and I'm learning so much more in my first semester of Julliard than I had anywhere else, so I didn't really think they'd be interesting to anyone..

I'm just saying. A lot of the people you hear about have partners. The Gershwins. Rogers and Hammerstein. No wonder you got into Julliard.

[There's an "I told you so..." under his breath as he drags a hand down his face.] Maybe you can get that through to her. She's way too modest about her talent.

Maybe I can do that iiiifffff she agrees to play one of the songs she wrote?

[Castle gives them a look that screams 'pretty please?'.]

[ Oh, no--Castle's look. Kelsi can't help but laugh, even if slightly nervously, and she glances over. ]

Ryan's going to help me, though. [ And just like that she slides over, expecting Ryan to take a seat while she plays the opening chords. ]

Edited 2015-01-24 03:13 (UTC)

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