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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[He pauses at that, thinking about his master, his old age and the years he skipped. Is this how he feels? He owns some sympathy when he gets to see him again.]

MTV reality shows are staples of our culture? [He pulls a face. That's kinda sad.] Ah, but yeah, I know what you mean. The lack of electricity and transport is just... [He huffs. He needs his science, ok.]

I didn't say they were good staples. [But sometimes things just happen to be on that are sort of kind of interesting. Sort of.] But you know exactly what I'm talking about and doesn't that kinda prove a point? [A grin.] I'm still trying to get used to everything being so backwards. I miss being able to travel whenever I want to. And the whole electricity thing. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder but I'm pretty sure that doesn't work in this case.

I miss my music mixers. [ A pout and a whine. That's all she's contributing to this conversation. ]

Noooo, no, absence definitely makes hearts grow homesick. And tired of reading under candle light.

[He's staying in the station now, but when he wants to see books in the castle or the Barrel, candles are the way to go. And it sucks.]

Ah-- you mean those mixing machines or like, a software? Because we can probably find you a program to download.

Yeah. I've been using a second-hand moog but I had a summer job at Ryan's place and managed to save up for an actual akai, and--oh, gosh, I miss it. Maybe for a boon, I guess. Aaaand this probably just makes sense to me. Sorry. [ Kelsi learn how to people, please. ]

Hey--this is a little out of left field, but, what were you studying? Back home?

[Dave chuckles.] I think I got the general idea from context. It's ok, I know the feeling. Can boons give us technology too?

[He is a nerd, Kelsi, he gets what is like to geek out over that stuff.]

Ah, me? Physics at NYU. Remember that guy that got pushed against lockets in high school? I was that guy.

Edited 2015-01-14 05:49 (UTC)

If you phrase it the right way, yeah. It still only works at the Station but they just gave me a new iPod.

[...the look on his face though kind of changes from "okay this is interesting" to "oh god why science." Physics was more Gabriella and Taylor's department than his or Kelsi's, but the second part doesn't go unnoticed.] ...shoulda been at our high school. East wouldn't have tolerated that. [And a glance at Kelsi.] At least I don't think so? [Not in the latter years, at least. He and Kelsi have had their own share of bullying from people during their early high school years but after Gabriella showed up and Troy dragged the entire student body into his personal identity crisis? Things were pretty smooth.]

Not if he was studying physics. He'd be under Taylor McKessie. [ Kelsi remembers the pre-Troyella days of East High very, very well. ]

But yeah, the later years, you'd be absolutely fine. If Gabriella or Taylor ever get here, you have to meet them--have to--they're the smartest of all the Wildcats.

[Lucky of them to have a bullying-free school, even if it was just the later years, Dave thinks. Not that it would've made a big difference considering he has a reputation in the whole area.

Noticing Ryan's expression at the mention of science, he tries to improve his opinion a little.] You know- ah, Ryan, right? I made giant Tesla coils play music for my girlfriend one time.

[And music is cool for these two teens, right? Kelsi gets a raised eyebrow.]

Wildcats? School team I presume?

[Kelsi and Ryan live in a sheltered sort of bubble and they're both aware of it. All they can do is try to keep the Wildcat spirit up and spread it to everybody they've ever met. Still, at the mention of the coils Ryan perks up again. Science and music generally don't go together in his experience (unless you were Gabriella) so hearing about practical application to the arts is a surefire way to pique his interest.] How'd you do that? That's like...wireless energy right?

[At the question though he grins and answers for Kelsi.]

School team. East High Wildcats.

Think of the coils like... [And here come the hand gestures to go with the explanation, trying to represent the shapes too.] ...these big, whirly column-like circuits that fire plasma through the air. It is done at such a high frequency that the sparks make sounds - you can program them to play an actual song.

[He's distracted for a second while he grabs his phone again to see if he has any videos or audios of his experiment.]

I guess this must be followed with the sad but important question then: is there a poor soul whose job is dressing as a wildcat?

[Hand gestures are good! Hand gestures are very helpful to someone who's a visual learner and it's clear that it clicks what, exactly, Dave is explaining. He's mimicking the motions that the other's hands are making but stops when Dave moves for his phone.] That's actually really cool. We've never had anything like that.

[The question just gets a snort out of him before he raises a hand, waving his fingers briefly.] Uh, yeah, hi. That would be me.

Probably because the science nerds aren't exactly expected in the music room... [To be fair, he didn't even try until Becky came around. Mumbling a happy "yessss!" when he finally finds the video he wants, he turns the phone toward the locket and plays it for Ryan.] There you go. My inner high-school kid appreciates the "cool" compliment.

[His eyebrows raise when he hears that answer. Oops, this really is awkward.]

...oh.That's- huh. My sympathies?

Normally not, no. [It's just another example of why East was such a unique school. But he doesn't go much further than that because he's busy watching the video, and the longer it goes it becomes more clear that he's very, very impressed. There's a slight mumble of "whoa..." under his breath as the video plays and once it's done?] That. Was. Amazing. That's literally just science? [He turns to Kelsi then.] Why couldn't they have taught us that in class? I would have skipped a lot less.

[However. Let's go back to the mascot thing because though it's awkward it's also amusing for him.] Don't even worry about it. Would you believe me if I said I kinda volunteered? We're both friends with a lot of the guys that were on the varsity basketball team and I'm the only one who really knows gymnastics so I was the best option.

But I don't recommend it. Ever. The suit's really hot and kinda gross.

[That "whoa" has Dave smiling silly. Points for science, aww yeah! Impressing people with experiments doesn't happen often unless they are other nerds. Which reminds him he's really lucky for having Becky, who shows interest in his work even if it's just of him.] If we're going down that road, everything is "just" science. An acoustical engineer is the guy to go to if you wanna make sure your building is well designed for music.

[A big nerd he is, but he doesn't say anything about the skipping part. As much as he would like to disapprove of it, he knows the feeling - he's always wanted to skip Gym. And now Ryan says he volunteered to be the mascot and Dave can only look at him as if he was growing a second head.]

You what? You-- seriously? By your own choice? [Wow, Ryan truly is brave. Or super stupid. Dave pulls a face at the last part.] Eww. Yeah, I don't think I'd ever try, but thanks anyway.

[Four for you Dave Stutler, you go Dave Stutler.] There's definitely a fine line between science and art though don't you think? I'm still not even sure what that leans more toward. [In his opinion it's art but it's far too technical not to acknowledge that it's scientific.

He just laughs at the look before giving a shrug.] I know, I know. It's crazy but sometimes things just sort of change your mind. [Kelsi knows exactly what changed his mind and what was said to change his mind and if she's a good friend she'll keep her mouth shut 8|] Haven't you ever had someone convince you to try something just because they said the right thing?

[There's also a thin line between science and magic, he can't help thinking, but he knows better than bringing it up.] Good point. Leonardo Da Vinci was an artist AND an inventor, so it probably has to do with the way one can see the world. Creativity.

[Oh man, that question. Embarrassed, Dave nods as he rubs his forehead, trying to hide his face a little bit.] Yeeeeeah, I have. Too many times to count. Not my proudest moments, to be honest. Though some times they... [He pauses, sighs, then tries again.] So you put on the costume more than once or twice? Like- it was more than a favor?

Every basketball game. Oh! Actually-- [ She'll dig into her bag which had been near her feet, stopping to play the piano to pull out a day planner with some sort of Japanese-esque cat mascot. She finally pulls out a polaroid of her hugging a rather terrifying looking mascot, and grins. ]

There he is.

No way.

[Dave leans closer to the locket and he quickly has to cover his mouth with his hand because... wow. It's really hard not to laugh, but he just gave Ryan his sympathy, he can't be an asshole now.

His amusement is hard to hide though.]

Wow, that's... huh. And you never were picked on for that? Lucky... [That's a bit of envy slipping in.]

[There's a mumble of "I can't believe you still have that" to Kelsi before he drags a hand down his face, giving Dave a quasi-embarrassed look.]

Like I said, sometimes people just say things and you don't have any other choice but to say yes. It helps that we were really good friends with the co-captains of the basketball team.

[A beat.] Now if it were prior to the whole Gabriellapocalypse, that might be a different story. I guess we'll never know.

[Some sort of weird chuckle-snort escapes him.] You knew the "higher-ups", now that explains a lot. But believe me, better for you two if you don't know. That's a "never" I can get behind.

Hey, look on the bright side. It's not something we have to deal with here? [A shrug.] We're all sort of stuck on the same level in this place.

I don't know, maybe there's not bullying, but there definitely are levels. Like, full class system with lords and ladies, knights and... [He stops himself before he comments on the room he got for being a sorcerer.] Who knows how many other titles.

And how many people earn those levels versus just being handed them because they fit the bill? [It's a genuine question and it's...pretty clear he's literally basing this on a social ladder, not a real class system.]

Actually, if you were already important in your world, you do get better stuff in the castle. [He shrugs.] But does it really make a difference? The rest earned it, sure, and good for them, but what I meant is - the levels are still there.

3rd libretto | video | open to all

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