1st libretto | video | seelie and unseelie

[playmakings]

Okay. [ Kelsi takes a deep breath, trying not to look too frazzled. She's feasted, woken up, and...Nope. She's still here. She takes a quick breath and offers a shy, slightly waning smile to the network of lockets. She's in her room--it's one of the smaller ones--and Ryan Evans can be seen in the background with his eyes closed, doing yoga. More specifically, parsvottasana pose. Kelsi seems completely oblivious. ] So this isn't a dream, that's--great. [ That's one word for it ] Which means if we're all here for a very long time, it's probably a good idea to say hi? So...

[ A little awkward, but she lifts her hand in greeting, the smile completely gone after her hand moves to fall on her lap. ] Hi. I'm Kelsi, and if there are any Wildcats out there, please let me know? At first I thought this was a dream, except normally my dreams involve East High still, and musical signups, sometimes I dream about tea, and--oh! Right. I also wanted to know if anyone here has a good singing voice. And maybe if you were okay with letting me hear it?

It's not for something weird! I promise, I promise, it's just--If I'm going to be here for a while, I might as well do something. Like write, right? [ Wow Kels, way to not tell people what you actually do. ]

One last little thing--if anyone was going to university or college for music composition, I'd really like to get into contact with you. There's this bit in one of my text books that's really confusing to me for some reason. Thanks!

[ She ends it with a little wave--and throughout this entire conversation, Ryan has moved to Downward Dog, and eventually to a handstand. ]

Comments

video;

[wilee]

You write about people singing?

[ that's basically all she got out of this. well, not all- ]

And what do you mean by "wildcats"?

[ she's not a cat, and she's not all that wild anymore. but. you know, maybe she's trying to be clever about asking for other weres to raise their hand. so. ]

video;

[playmakings]

[ Oh she seems super nice!! ]

Wildcats! East High Wildcats. There's this thing where I'm from--um, high school--and the Wildcats are the mascots. It's what we sort of call ourselves. Even if I'm not in high school anymore, you know?

And I don't write about people singing, more.. I write songs for singing.

video;

[wilee]

Oh. We're the Beacon Hills Cyclones.

[ womp womp wooooomp, her shoulders even slump a bit. that wasn't the answer she was looking for. but! never fear! she has more awkward things to say! ]

I've never really tried singing before, but I can howl?

[ which is along the same lines of how she thought I can try to catch their scent? was a good thing to say to her teacher, yeah. siiigh. ]

Video

[playmakings]

[ Kelsi doesn't even bat an eye: ]

So you're more suited for Heavy Metal? If I can find an electric guitar, you should give me an example!

Video

[scorchedchivalry]

...you are a bard?

Video;

[playmakings]

Sure! Or--I mean, I mostly compose, but--I'm in training to be a bard, I suppose.

Do you like stuff like that? Music?

Video;

[scorchedchivalry]

I cannot think of anyone that does not like music. The particular style of music will vary, of course. A bardic performance can be quite pleasant during the evening meal after a long day at court.

It can also remind one of things best left forgotten by those possessing hubris.

video;

[playmakings]

[ She's assuming the other means courts and feasts at this place, of course. Kelsi smiles as gently as she can. Why not? The other sounds serious, but her words aren't. Just formal. ]

Well, what kind do you like, then? Maybe you can be my first project.

[video]

[truecaptain]

[ It's not difficult to put 2 + 2 together, really. She'd heard that name before and quite a lot about a young girl who can composes you music. It's kind of a laugh when she comes through. ][ ]

You must be Ryan's friend, huh? He talks about you a lot.

[ It's an easy statement. Not quite an answer to any of the questions since she's already said 'hih' and Kanata hasn't exactly gone to a proper school since she left Saharasatar. Unless you counted going to classes during that one mission. ]

[video]

[playmakings]

Oh--Ryan's mentioned me? [ She glances back, frowning, and then sort of shrugs. She's happy about it--hella happy about it, so she sort of just shyly smiles. ]

I hope it's only good things, right?

[video]

[truecaptain]

Mm. We were discussing music and songs a little while ago.

[ It's an offered smiled as she shakes her head. ] I don't think he could say a bad thing about you if he tried.[ Which is nice, right? ]

[video]

[playmakings]

[ This time, the smile is far more genuine, and she kind of tries not stop grinning too much. ] I don't know what I'd do without him.

So--you're a fan of music and songs?

video

[kingsdaughter]

I can sing.

[She's blushing pretty hard, though.]

And elves can all sing, or so I've heard. There's supposed to be nothing like it.

Re: video

[playmakings]

Elves...?

[ Kelsi sort of looks confused, but Ryan's too busy with Yoga when she turns around to ask him so she looks looks back to the locket and fiddles with her beanie. She may or may not be thinking about keebler elves and the kind in santa's workshop. ]

I bet you could sing, you just need a little confidence. It's okay, I can help you if you want lessons! Oh, and Ryan could teach you to dance--it'll be really fun!

video/threadjack

[inafadingcrown]

[Yes, have one of those elves popping her head in.]

Some of us do have more skill with song than others, of course.

video

[kingsdaughter]

I know how to dance. [Singing lessons? What's the point of those? Everyone can sing. Not everyone has a good voice for it, but everyone can.]

Video;

[spiritedbow]

[ She's a little thrown by the combination of listening to people sing and writing, but after thinking about it for a minute, it makes a little more sense. Probably. ]

Are you a composer?

Video;

[playmakings]

Well-- I mean, not professionally. But I hope to be, yes!

Do you like music?

action;

[choreographics]

[From his position on his head...]

Meeting anybody interesting?

action;

[playmakings]

I have no idea what I'm doing.

action;

[choreographics]

Socializing! I know it's a foreign concept still, but trust me, you'll like it.

[Is he making fun of her? Is he just being a dick? The world may never know.

Okay no, he's totally grinning though.]

What do you mean you have no idea though?

...oh screw it hiatus breaking for you [private voice]

[bythewaves]

A strange request. [ The voice on the other end is deep and with a strange musical accent - as if Music underpins his every word ]

But I was once considered amongst the greatest bards of my world, if you truly want a song. What would you hear?

[private video]

[playmakings]

Oh! Hang on. [ He may be voice but Kelsi is craning her neck back to the one doing handstands, moving to grab a pillow and chuck at at him, mouthing something or other. ]

I'd love to hear a song. Anyone! What about one about love?

[private voice] fine 1/2

[bythewaves]

Any song? [ Quiet amusement, then he turns thoughtful ]

Love though... the greatest tale of love my people have is the Lay of Leithian - 'Release from Bondage', in your tongue.

It is a long one though, if you mind not the telling.

[ A quiet pause and then he lifts up his voice in song. Makalaure - his mother called him, who forges gold from his voice, and grief and pain has stolen none of his power, only deepened it. As he sings the images will spin to life for her and all who hear, as if they walk in waking dream ]

2/2 TLDRS but I will spare you the actual lay, I think

[bythewaves]

[ And this is the tale he tells ]

There is a maiden, with hair like shadow, the fairest to ever live, and she dances beneath the stars to the sound of the flue, and spring follows in her wake. There is a man, who has lost everything and has fought longer and harder than any other, and through perils and torments has found his way into her father's hidden kingdom. Tinuviel he calls her - 'Nightingale' - and she stops her dance and loves him, and spring comes to his heart as well. She leads him before her father, and the king is wroth that any mortal should dare to ask for his daughter, his most priceless treasure. The king sets an impossible errand - a jewel, the most priceless treasure of all elvendom - 'Steal me a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of the Dark Lord, and you may take Luthien to wife'.

Beren laughs 'For little price do Elven-kings sell their daughters!'

In Nargothrond he pleads aid for the sake of his father's friendship with the King, but the Sons of Feanor dwell there, whose inheritance is the Silmarils, and when he leaves he does so only with the King and seven companions, and not an army. They go to Tol Sirion, where the Lord of Werewolves dwells, and the King fights him but cannot defeat him, and the Wolves devour the companions one by one, until only the King and Beren remain. The King breaks his bonds and slays the werewolf, but dies of his wounds, and Beren weaps over his body.

In the hidden kingdom Luthien waits, and her father traps her in a treehouse, where she can see the stars but not go to Beren. Foreboding ill, she weaves a spell to grow her hair, and from it she weaves a rope to escape and a cloak spelled with sleep. The sons of Feanor waylay her, but faithful Huan, the hound of Valinor helps her escape, and she comes to Tol Sirion, where she fights the Lord of Werewolves and with Huan's help has the mastery. Tearing down the tower she goes to Beren, and together they take the forms of a werewolf and a bat, and sneak into the the Dark Lord's palace.

And the Dark Lord, old before the beginning of the world, laughs at their deceit and strips them of their disguise, but Luthien, daring, begs leave to sing before him. Enraptured by her beauty he permits it, and she dances before him, and throws her cloak before his eyes... and the Dark Lord... sleeps. They steal a Silmaril but the Wolf at the gates is awake, and he bites off Beren's hand that holds the Silmaril. But the jewels are holy, and will suffer no unclean touch, and he flees from the gate, howling as it burns him. So they return, Beren and Luthien, and the King's heart is changed, and he permits his daughter to wed.

But the Wolf is crazed with pain and the Silmaril drives him through the enchantments that hide the King's kingdom, and Beren goes forth to the hunt. Huan slays the Wolf, but not before Beren is mortally wounded saving the King. Weeping Luthien bids him wait for her, and when he dies she lays herself down and her spirit flees to Mandos. There, before the Judge of the Dead she sings of their love, and so moved is he that the Doomsman permits that which has never before and never again been allowed, and Mortal Man walks out of Death to Life. And Luthien goes with him, now fully mortal, and together they dwell in bliss, and eventually die, passing beyond the walls of the world.

And so we have lost her who was most beloved, Luthien the Fair, but their descendants grew great and their fates wrote much of our world's history.