A rough draft version of the prelude to Clavichord. Some formatting died.
Prelude
The Amaya-Kirayosora household, early morning
[The scene opens in the hallway of a quaint house – early morning sunlight falls through the windows of the house upon a small girl – Victoria – laying against a door; she is asleep, but appears to be crying almost silently. The door opens slowly and a tall, brown-haired boy – James – steps out. He looks down for a moment before kneeling next to Victoria]
James:
…
Huh. Asleep here again.
[He’s still a moment, then slowly – almost scared – reaches a hand to her hair, brushing against her cheek]
Tori-ch—
[Victoria suddenly stirs, sitting up in alarm. She, as if having been hurt, slides away from James, who quickly stands. James’ fascination has melted to an agitated stance, while Victoria looks beyond frightened]
Victoria:
J—James—
James:
You have a bed, you know.
[Victoria is silent a moment, staring down at her hands]
Victoria:
…
I—I know.
James:
Why don’t you sleep there?
Victoria:
I… I don’t know.
[James scoffs a bit, stepping back into his room. He comes back out a moment later, a book bag over his shoulder and a pile of papers – scores, notes and scripts – in his hands. He doesn’t glance at his sister once. The scene shifts down the hall and into the kitchen, where Kamiya (Seishin) and Nora Jayne are eating a quick breakfast, while their mother Kasumi prepares lunch for the four children]
Jayne:
Ne, Sei-onee-chan! James told me he’s going to have tryouts for the autumn musical today – are you excited?
Seishin:
Of course I am! Klaud and I always get the best parts.
Kasumi:
James-kun played the opening song on piano for me – it’s a lovely piece.
Seishin:
[with a scoff]
Jamie never lets me hear his music before the rehearsals, even when I’m the lead!
Kasumi:
It’s a sad part, if I’m to judge by the piece – will you be able to manage that, Miya-chan?
Seishin:
I’m an actress. Of course I can!
Jayne:
[giggles]
You remind me of Shay-chan sometimes. She’s going to be staying for this semester of school, isn’t that sugoi?~
Kasumi:
Shayla Bleth, the girl always travelling?
Seishin:
The peripatetic thing she is, that’s her.
[Caeden enters, and walks briskly over to Kasumi. He gives her a gentle kiss, pulling some of her hair out of her face]
Kasumi:
Off to work already?
Caeden:
The costumes for the musical—there’s a lot of them to be done. Thankfully the school is funding it…
[He leans over to give kisses to Jayne and Seishin, stands back up and glances around, then back to the two girls]
Where are James and Tori?
[And as if on cue, shouting is heard from the hall]
Victoria:
Just leave me be, James!
James:
What do you think I’ve tried doing nearly half my life?!
[Seishin sighs as Jayne bites her lip – Caeden and Kasumi exchange hopeless glances. James storms into the kitchen, followed by a shut-away Victoria, and the two remain in opposite ends of the room]
Kasumi:
James, Victoria, what’s wrong now?
Victoria:
It doesn’t matter…
James:
[scoffs]
No, it doesn’t.
[The doorbell rings, and Seishin runs to answer it]
Kasumi:
James Liam Kaftka and Victoria Rose Lyra…
Victoria:
I—it was my fault, Mama. I—I shouldn’t have—have…
Kasumi:
I just want you two to stop—
…
Oh, loves….
Your father has to leave – give him kisses and come take your bentou, please.
[The two do as instructed as Seishin returns, leaning in slightly]
Seishin:
Matt and the others are here, guys.
Klaud:
And me!
Seishin:
[giggles]
Ready to go?
James:
Forget what I said, Victoria. I don’t care.
[Without a word, James leaves the room. Victoria remains still a moment, before hurrying away, through the back door. Seishin sighs again.]
Klaud:
…
What happened…?
Seishin:
Who knows?
Those two haven’t gotten along since they were six.
Jayne:
[in a quiet tone]
Four years is a long time for two people to be fighting…
[The three leave the room, and Caeden walks back over to Kasumi, giving her a longer kiss. He touches her lips with his fingertips afterward, sighing gently]
Caeden:
I don’t know what we’ll do with those two, Kasumi-san…
Kasumi:
Neither do I, Caeden-san…
[Outside, Victoria comes round from the back and is caught by Charlotte and Vanessa. They both fire warning glares at James, before ushering the young girl off. James mumbles something, kicks at the ground and then sighs before walking down to the sidewalk where Seth and Matthew are waiting]
Matthew:
Hiya, James.
Seth:
[smiles softly]
Good morning.
James:
Yeh, if you can call it that. Hi.
Seth:
[stops smiling]
Did something happen?
James:
Nothing new.
[There’s a short silence, before Matthew decides to bravely break it]
Matthew:
Well…
Hey, is Jayne walking with us this morning?
James:
Of course.
Seth:
Victoria…?
James:
…
No.
…
Actually, Seth, you ought to go find her. She went with Vanessa and Charlotte – down that way.
Seth:
Thank you… excuse me.
[Seth gives them both a smile, and a small wave at Jayne as he passes her. Jayne bounces up with Seishin and Klaud, quite cheerfully]
Jayne:
Hi, Matt-kun! How are you?
Matthew:
Hi, Jayne! I’m fine. How about you?
Jayne:
Good! Look, I found a lot of seashells yesterday! There’s at least thirty here!
Matthew:
That’s great! Hey, um… speaking of the beach, do you—
[James lifts his hand to speak, and Daiki walks up to the group. James drops his hand.]
Jayne:
Morning, Daiki-kun~ How are you?
Daiki:
[smiles]
Jayne:
Hehe, that’s good!
Daiki:
[smiles]
James:
…
Right. Seishin, are you ready yet?
[Behind the four younger children, Seishin is snapping pictures of her best friend/boyfriend, Klaud – Klaud attempts to duck them]
Seishin:
Yeah, I would be, if Klaud would stay still for a moment!
Klaud:
Well… I’d look better if I weren’t half-asleep!
Seishin:
Oh, isn’t that the biggest lie ever! That excuse doesn’t work for the 4.0 GPA kids, Klaud. Neither you or I! Now—stay—still!
[Klaud seems to pause a moment, during which Seishin begins to snap a perfect picture – until Klaud jumps into a tree at the last moment]
…
Klaud! Now the picture’s ruined!
Klaud:
Apologies, Sei. Really – but I suppose you’ll have to be quicker than that – or do some jumping, huh?
[The two continue to playfully fight with one another, while Jayne, Matt and, silently, Daiki, are speaking amongst themselves. James rolls his eyes a bit, but then slows his pace, and pauses a moment as he glances back in the direction that Vanessa and Charlotte had dragged Victoria off in]
Matthew:
James…?
James:
…
[he quickly snaps out of his trance, and turns back to Matthew, giving him a cold warning glare – Matt giggles, albeit a bit nervously]
Matthew:
Just checking.
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