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! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sorry Kelsi he's just cackling suddenly because embarrassing her is one of the little joys he has in life.]

Uh huh, sure. Look, I still think you're worried about nothing and she's the one who brought up missing you first. Shouldn't that be a good sign?

What if she's just being nice, though?

[ And goddammit, Ryan, that laugh just makes her wish she could melt into the floor. ]

[Aw Kelsi...okay, okay, he stops laughing and just regards her quietly before he rolls his eyes again.]

Why focus on "what if" instead of making it into a reality? You know how I feel about what ifs. It's going to be fine. I promise.

Okay. [ Deep breath. Ryan's the only one good enough to get her to calm down when she gets like this. She forces a bit of a smile. ]

You're right--no what ifs. Just be myself. Right? [ 'Even if myself isn't interesting?' ]

[He's had a lot of practice calming Sharpay down from her fits, let's be honest here. He knows the smile is forced and just gives her a look, laying both hands on her shoulders and shaking her a little bit.]

Listen to me. You're smart, you're adorable, and you're passionate. What about you wouldn't be interesting?

[Does he know her too well? Probably.]

Do you want that list chronologically or alphabetically?

[:|]

Okay let's try another approach. Would you let me sit here talking that way about myself if this was about a fantasy date with me and...whoever?

No! Not at all. But you and Chad already know each other and--

[ Oh, shit. Had she just really said The Name. ]

We are not talking about Chad Danforth right now. [You must not speak about He Who Must Not Be Named, god Kelsi.] Anyway you're already a step ahead of me. When's the last time I went on a date with Chad? Oh. Right. Never. Because that will never happen.

[Eyebrow raise. Just a very, very high eyebrow raise.]

Hey, you never know! Maybe Cha--he'll-- come by next feast! [ Never say never, Ryan, goddammit. ]

Kelsi. [He just sort of rolls his eyes.] Nobody's going to come by the next feast because I didn't ask them to.

[...Ryan what.]

You can't ask them because they're not here, silly.

[ what. ]

No that's not--[Ugh. Okay. Time out. He pauses to start over, frowning a little in thought.]

...I never told you about what happened right before you showed up, did I.

No.

[ And, eyes wide, suddenly: ] What happened?! [ Because if Ryan's keeping something than that? That's something big, ]

So you know how the fairies come to us every month and ask what we want from the monarchs? I asked them for you once and they told me no...but then you sorta showed up anyway.

So you think it's your fault. [ Kelsi's cutting through skirting around it; she really has seen that look before. It breaks her heart. ] You know it isn't, right?

Something like that. [There's a sigh and he just looks away because...well, yeah.] I know it isn't but don't you think it's weird how coincidental the whole thing is? You can't tell me it's just coincidence.

[No Ryan, it is just coincidence.] Makes me wonder what else they're capable of without us knowing.

Ryan--if it isn't a coincidence, why you? Why not Troy, or Gabriella?

[ It's gentle, but she's pointing it out--it's a continuation, she feels, from the first mystery. ] Why not President Bush?

I think you're right about the fact that they're all hiding something, but... I don't think that's what it is.

Edited 2015-02-03 04:28 (UTC)

Wait what does that--never mind. [It's not one of the weirdest things Kelsi's ever said to him and he seems to get her point. He's thinking that over though.]

You really think that Troy and Gabriella would say yes to something like this? They wouldn't be this easily fooled. [He's sort of frustrated with himself, honestly.] It bothers me that we still don't know everything, that's all.

No, they wouldn't, either.

[ Sigh. What would they do? Troy and Gabriella... They completely broke up politics. They smashed the status quo. This place is so wrapped up in it, maybe they needed a different approach than them. Something from the inside? Someone who's used to keeping order when people are divided to ultimately reach a goal--hang on. ]

..What would Sharpay do?

[And that just gets him to laugh. It's mostly out of amusement, but if Kelsi's listening close enough she can probably hear the slight strain of hysterics in his tone.]

Hire a hitman to do the job for her and get a massage at the Station probably. [Though in a less shallow opinion of his sister...]

...she'd make a plan of attack. And a second plan of attack. She wouldn't take no for an answer.

[And normally neither would he.]

3rd libretto | video | open to all

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