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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Ryan!

[ Do NOT do the thing ]

I'm just asking! [He's not going to do the thing. He doesn't even have a reason to do the thing.

Not yet, anyway. Who knows if he'll ever have one?] Anyway there's nothing wrong with asking, right, Katsa?

[i.e. Kelsi let him do the thing!!]

[ oops, sorry kelsi. katsa always wants to do the thing. ]

Cross in through a way no one would expect. It's easy enough to hide if they're not expecting you on the other side. A tunnel or a mountain pass deemed too dangerous to pass... that's the route I'd choose.

[ like the insane choice she'd made to cross out of monsea through grella's pass in the winter, all to avoid being caught: a tried and true method.

katsa smiles faintly. ]

But until you've the means, I wouldn't recommend it without help.

...sneak attack. I like it. [He's nodding, but he's turning the camera again to face Kelsi instead of himself.] I don't have a reason to go over there, so don't worry about it so much.

Is it really as dangerous as they say it is?

Is what dangerous—crossing the borders?

Crossing the borders, the Unseelie castle, all of that. I mean I know the imps are sort of supposed to be kinda evil and there's a bunch of monsters running around but besides that.

[ snort. ]

The imps aren't any more evil than my uncle is evil: only stupid and greedy, and with fewer guards and less power and more propensity to fly a few feet when kicked.

Morla isn't the most pleasant of decorators. The castle is much like her king, still and dark and empty, and I always feel that there is something watching me around the corner. The beasts seem straightforward enough to handle, though I don't know much about those not claimed by this court on this side of the border.

[He's listening a little too closely and it's obvious he's thinking something through. He's not exactly planning, not yet, but he's definitely thinking and taking all of this into consideration.]

Good thing I've been practicing my high-kicks. [It's said dryly and he's letting the locket spin so the camera bounces between himself and Kelsi.]

I guess I was just curious, that's all. [And he pauses to give Kelsi a look.] You should come visit us sometime then.

[ katsa smiles at them—genuinely. missing that look he gives kelsi. ]

I've been wondering what the sights are like in the southern lands—mountainous or green or dry, or something I've never seen.

[ her way of saying maybe she just will come. ]

It's different than anything we've ever seen. Well, at least that I've ever seen. [Most of the Evanses vacation spots are in cities, after all.] We wouldn't mind showing you around...right, Kels?

We've ever seen, yeah. [ Kelsi's not really used to being in wilderness, either. Unless band camps counted. ]

Wait--you mean--I mean, yes! Of course. Of course, of course! And we can have tea--and I have all of Green Day's American Idiot on my ipod, I think you'll like that music the most [ katsa will always be too punk rock for school, man. ] and it's supposed to be up on Broadway next year.

[ there's a pause as katsa smiles, pressing her lips together hard in an attempt to keep herself from laughing—then lets it out in one short, loud burst. her face is flushed, uncertain, and there's a tight feeling in her chest and throat. this phenomenon of friendship is still so new, so unusual, different even from her friendships with po and raffin, and she's not quite sure how to handle the sudden affection that surges for both of them. ]

I don't understand any of that. But soon I will, I hope, when I come and—Kelsi. I'm really glad you're awake.

[ She slinks lower, a little embarrassed at the laugh, but the encouraging words definitely leave her a little more assured that Katsa was just being her usual slightly weird self. Panic mode: off. ]

I'm glad, too, Katsa. And thanks for listening, it really means a lot--probably a lot more than you realize.

Don't say absurd things. There's more I still have to hear.

[ katsa waves a hand, ducking her head ]

What do you plan to do now?

What do you mean? [ Blink. Kelsi doesn't quite Get It. ] I was thinking of maybe trying to find out if they have cereal at the castle here even though it's lunch...

I mean now you're awake, since you say you missed things.

[ katsa bites her lip and settles back, as though she's facing kelsi in person ]

What's it like? Your castle.

There's not really very many castles back home, I've never seen one up clo--oh, you mean this one? The Seelie one?

Yes. So I know what to expect when I come to visit and don't accidentally pass on by. [ another katsa-style joke ] I hope the Seelie queen has a better sense of practicality and is less about the dramatics than Morla.

Well, it's dramatic. And it's bright--really bright. Everything sort of shimmers, it looks, but I think that might be my imagination. I like the gardens best, though, it's full of rich colours and I think there are some flowers that are more expensive than all of Ryan's hands combined--ooooh you should see the music room! It's so well organized, and there's so many instruments I don't know but that's what makes it fun!

...Oh.

[ there's almost a catch in her voice, subtle. katsa blinks, tilts her head back to look at her own surroundings: the dark arches, the dim lights, the dark velvet. ]

That sounds beautiful. And right that you should be there. The gardens, are they—full, and overflowing, like a lake almost? Or neat and trimmed, the colors grouped to guide you?

[ She's trying to ignore the weird feeling in her chest when Katsa compliments her--she thinks it's a compliment, that she should be there. She can't help but feel a little happy, that Katsa thinks she should be among that sort of stuff.

Don't think that 'oh' lost his meaning, though. ]

It depends on what section you go to. I think the Unseelie castle looks really gorgeous, from bits and pieces I've seen--like Phantom of the Opera. You'll see it when you come over, right?

Edited (oh my god I hate html sometimes) 2015-01-30 22:33 (UTC)

[ she meant it as a compliment, definitely—it isn't wrong that kelsi takes it as one, but it wasn't just a toss-away comment, either. katsa really does mean that it sounds like the kind of place kelsi belongs. ]

Bits and pieces, maybe. But there's more to it in the shadows. [ but she turns her attention back to her locket, and she's smiling at kelsi. ] It sounds like the Lienid cities, shining—but I've only seen them from far away, never up close. You should find your favorite part of it to show me. Doesn't it hurt your eyes?

You're already in it. [ But she'll take Ryan's locket away from him, actually getting up to show the entire area. It's beautiful--at least part of that is because of all of the instruments. ]

I don't know if it hurts my eyes, but it's full of warm colours. It's a good thing I wear glasses--[ oh, do you have glasses in your world? It seems like such a silly thing to be asking, she feels, but this setting has made her ask even sillier. ] I don't even recognize some of these instruments, and I'm going to school for this sort of thing.

How did you become interested in this sort of thing? [ she squints at her locket, taking in the scenery ] I never talked to any musicians at Randa's court.

[ she doesn't even remember whether any of them were graced ]

Gosh--in musicals, or just playing the piano? Or about putting one on? That's a really loaded question.

3rd libretto | video | open to all

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