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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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."]

Vote?

[This idea is so completely foreign to Pod, and it shows. And she goes sad and a little guilty next.]

He usually stays very close, so that he may answer my call if I need him. It was my own grievous error that forced him to stray farther that one time. And a madman on the hunt that put me in danger.

[The way she shifts awkwardly and looks away is a good indication that she's most uncomfortable with the topic. The words are said quickly, as if hurrying will make them fade quicker after.]

Hey-- [ Kelsi quickly catches on, and offers another gentle smile. If Pod's not comfortable? Then she won't push it, simple as that. ] I think it's really cool you have one. We have seeing eye dogs where we come from, but I'm not even sure that's the same thing!

I am not certain, as most dogs are kept for hunting or guarding the flocks, and our brothers-in-fur are so much more than that. The words do not begin to describe it truly, but they are the best we have.

[She tilts her head though, smiling a little.]

I like that idea, though. A good, stolid hound with a quick take to learning could be trained that way, and I'm certain would be a great help to someone so struck. A protection too, against any brigand or other harm.

[And off-screen Ryan just laughs a little because he's picturing his sister's tiny Yorkie as a hunting dog and it's hilarious. Poor Boi.]

A lot of the dogs in our world are really smart, actually. They say they're a man's best friend and everything. You and Kiga would probably blend right in.

[Despite knowing that Kiga's...not a dog.]

Edited (important sentences...) 2015-01-27 17:14 (UTC)

[Well, Pod would take a look at a Yorkie and determine that it must be a ratter, which is true enough of the breed's origin. She would sadly not quite understand the idea of pure companion animals. Even brothers-in-fur do 'work' by helping their Healers in a variety of ways!]

Well, maybe not, as a woods dog, in spite of the name, isn't easily mistaken for a one. And as smart as dogs are, bad habits gained during puppyhood tend to last, no matter how many times the cats bloody their noses. Of course, that could just be Tipper himself. Fool hound.

[But she says that with all fondness, and a kind of vague homesickness. She misses all the other Healers and 'prentices and all their brothers-in-fur. Even Tipper, chasing the cats and bothering Kiga at every chance.]

I even sort of miss the dog that came with us to school. Well--sort of. He was Ryan's sisters, really small. [ She gestures with her hands. ] Maybe him and Kiga would get along!

At his full growth? That is small for a hound. Was he a ratter, then?

And they might! As much of it depends on his manners as Kiga's. Kiga gets along well enough with most dogs though.

I'm not sure what a ratter is, but probably best not to say that to my sister if she ever shows up.

What kind of manners would Boi need to have for Kiga not to like him?

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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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