eachdraidh | 3rd libretto | video

Entry tags:

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! ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[HOLY SHIT THERE IS A PIANO WHY DID HE NOT THINK TO LOOK FOR A PIANO THERE IS A PIANO

wow that's pretty music! it is so foreign to his ears, trained in the Romantic music of Schumann and Chopin and raised on a legacy of the Classical works.]

I haven't ever heard a song like that before. When was it composed? It is so—novel!

[ she should probably say something more eloquent, or like, worthwhile, but the first thing that comes out of her mouth is- ]

Yes!

[ she's just excited, okay. ]

Where are you guys?? I want to come hang out!

[ Kelsi smiles, and maybe she's blushing. Maybe. It means there's someone who's listening and listening with wonder. ]

I'm not sure, maybe 1960? It's really old, but I listen to it every year, almost. I have since I was little. Do you like piano?

[Staring. Staaaaring. Squinting.]

What...is that an instrument?

Hey Merida! [He's not even perturbed at this point.] It's an instrument in our world, anyway. It's called a piano. [He's tilting the video so that there's a clear view of Kelsi's fingers flying over the keys.]

Nothing like this where you're from?

[She shakes her head, then tilts it to watch Kelsi in something akin to awe.]

Never seen anythin' like it. Mum was teachin' me how tae play th' lyre. [She scratches her cheek.] We have bagpipes an' th' like but nothin' called a piano.

[Now that's a song he actually knows! He's been sticking to the music he has in his cellphone since he arrived mostly out of homesickness, and Peanuts sure hits him right in the nostalgia.]

Sweet! You should ask the fairies if they can get you a dancing dog.

Lyre...that's like the harp thing, right? [That's assuming that Merida knows what a harp is. Even if she can't see it, he makes a face.] I think we'll pass on the bagpipes. Kelsi's been playing for...a really, really long time. [And he sort of leans over the piano to wave at Kelsi to get her attention. Merida technically has both of their attentions, so maybe he should shut up and let Kelsi have a say in the conversation.]

There's a music room in here! [ Kelsi would wave, but her hands are busy. Instead, she just beams and hopes her smile is as welcoming as she feels. ] I'm just amazed there's--this-- [ Because piano is her life, really. ]

You wanna come sketch?

We could always just dress you up as snoopy. Can you dance?

Like a baby walking for the first time. [That translates to HELL NO.] I was supposed to be learning before I came here but... [A shrug.] Can you play the other Peanuts songs too?

Aye, only harps are bigger. Lyres are more...

[She gestures with her arms to mimic the size and how she'd usually hold it, then lowers her arms and watches.]

Cannae agree with ye more on th' bagpipes, though. What is that song anyway? I've never heard it before.

[It is with wonder indeed, and very attentive ears. The whole new mode of sound mesmerizes him.]

It is not old to me, but in fact eighty years older than my day. I love the piano—I mean, I am not professional, but I do play—I had not realized there was one in the castle. But to imagine that compositions have changed so much in the next eight decades! Would you play more of it?

[HE IS VERY EXCITED IF SHE CAN'T TELL]

That is a lovely sound little bard. [ Someone has been listening appreciatively ] Although I do not recognize the instrument. You were asleep? Ah, it explains why I had not heard you for a while. I am glad that you are awake now.

It is good to see you, dear Bard. I had feared you the worst when I did not see you at the Barrel's Yule party.

[ Kelsi doesn't respond, but after a second of silence she begins to play Linus and Lucy, laughing to herself. She makes eye contact with Ryan and laughs as the other presses a few keys to help her out, even though she doesn't really need it. ]

Wait, you were trying to learn how to dance?! You should come over here, then! We'll give you a crash course. You'll be learning from Julliard, annnd I have more candy.

[ ...Did you just bribe someone with candy, Kelsi. ]

[ oh no no no no this is bad because someone's talking about music and Kelsi's face lights up. She misses a few beats because she's so happy that someone else is as enthused, but quickly finishes the song and then begins to play a medley she spent her summer practicing before heading to New York. ]

It's really refreshing to see someone into music! I mean--there's this musical, Wicked, and then Peanuts, that's what I was playing before, but there's some really good contemporary ones like Next to Normal, and the usual old classics like Porgy and Bess, I really like that one--but there's normal music, too, like, pop music? I really like Jesse McCartney, oh! And--

[ Wait. ]

What year is it, where you're from?

[No, this is perfect, he is so happy. If it were possible to light up more at her performance, he would. What a fascinating medley! What a vista of new compositions yet on the horizon of music!

Music nerds alert, watch out. With their powers combined . . .]

[He laughs, and it is a little shy but less than it would have been a month ago, as he confesses,] Perhaps it is very obvious from my ignorance about, oh, everything you named, but it seems to be long before your time. It was the 1881 when I was brought here.

[ oh no, Maglor. Oh no.

That reddening of her face? Totally real. She's not flustered, but she is blushing, embarrassed. Maglor's sort of like a mentor to her, music wise, even if he doesn't realize it. For some reason she never thought he'd actually see her playing. She keeps it up, though, just being a little more critical of herself in her mind. ]

It's a piano--you have your harp. [ Lyre? ] and I have this. The most comfortable fit, right?

[Hold on sorry excuse him he's going to keep the camera on Kelsi but he's cutting in to talk]

1881. Not a lot of selection then, huh? [He can't even fathom the idea of music (or lack thereof) back then]

Right. Thanks but no thanks. I'm not that great with strings. Or pipes. [But there's a grin at the agreement]

This is a song--okay, so you know about Yule and stuff right? In our world when it's close to Christmas they start showing all kinds of TV specials to get people in the holiday spirit. The one Kelsi's playing is from A Charlie Brown Christmas. It's kind of famous where we're from, created in...the 1960s? I think. It's a cartoon. Anyway there was a whole album of music to go with the show and a few years ago Kelsi and I learned to play them. She's just a lot better than me. [And he sounds so proud of it]

[What? This voice from the side—the boy from the beginning of the message—surprises him with such a claim.] Of course there is! There is Schumann, and Chopin, and Beethoven, and Wagner and Mozart, and Liszt, Saint-Saëns, and so many others. And the Japonists have been bringing back Japanese music and instruments, and I have heard of strange and foreign sounds coming to England from Africa and the Southern Americas.

[Sorry man, just because his best friend is a total piano nerd doesn't mean that he is. He appreciates classical music and he knows how to play a little himself, but all of that isn't as impressive to him as it would be to Kelsi. Still, he's just patiently waiting for the other man to finish, lifting his eyebrows at Kelsi like he's trying to ask her if she recognizes all of that.]

That may be true, but it's all still one type of genre isn't it? [A shrug even though it can't be seen.] I'm as big of a fan of Beethoven as the next guy but I also like seeing what else is out there.

[OH MY GOD THIS IS OFFENSIVE]

Chopin and Beethoven are not the same kind of music in the slightest! You might as well say Thomas Tallis and Georges Bizet composed in the same genre!

[SERIOUSLY IN SHOCK HERE]

[Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa okay. He knows he just opened Pandora's box here when it comes to music and he's honestly torn between being bewildered and trying not to laugh at the indignation that's coming through.

Still though. It's obvious that Dorian's passionate and he'd be a total idiot not to recognize that. Sorry man, just one more question and then he'll (probably) stop interrupting all of Kelsi's conversations.]

How would you describe the difference then?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 18

3rd libretto | video | open to all

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

[Video]

video;

video;

[Video]

[Video]

video;

video;

Private Video

Video

[Video]

video;

video;

Private Video

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;