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.

New song list:

Twelve o’Clock (Noon) - Moraine Academy Students
Life Is Like a Musical - Moraine Academy Students
Kiss and Kill - Morrigan, Mira, Naoki, Misaki
Twelve o’Clock (Midnight) - James and Victoria
Come Josephine, In My Faraway Dream… - Guinevere and Jason
Ashwood Isle - Caeden, Kasumi
Annabel Lee - Seth
Saltwater Taffy (On the Boardwalk) - Matthew, Jayne
Saltwater Taffy (On the Shoreline) - Minami
If Ever I Loved You - James and Victoria
I Sing For You - Sonya
You Are Not (The Centre of the Universe) - Kayden, Naoki, Misaki
Silken Smokescreens - Riza, Sayurii, Gwendolyn, James, Matthew and Jason
Like the Moon in the Ocean - Matthew and Moraine Academy Students
All I Need - Charlotte and Vanessa
Lined Pages of a Notebook Full of Love Music - Klaud and Seishin
Peripatetic, Gypsy, Boheme - Shayla and Moraine Academy Students
On a Sunday in 1912 (April the 14th) - Guinevere, Dylan, Jason, Sonya, Daniel, Nolle
Dead Little Marionette Doll - Victoria and Seth
Each Mistake I’ve Made - Matthew
Ophelia’s Song - Victoria
Because I Was Daydreaming - Guinevere
Forgive Me (If I Fall Apart) - Jayne, Matthew, Jason, Dylan, Seth, James
Birdsong - James
Fallen Star Waltzes in the Sea - Daniel and Dylan
oborozukiyo - Victoria, others?
Christmas Eve - All
Rosewood Harlequin - All

. . . that MIGHT be the complete list. I don’t know; quite depends on if I decide to add more/remove any. Klaud and Sei win for longest title. I want to make all 28 songs work, I really do. XD To split them into the acts:

ACT I (early September) -
Twelve o’Clock (Noon)
Life is Like a Musical
Kiss and Kill
Twelve o’Clock (Midnight)
Come Josephine, In My Faraway Dream…
Ashwood Isle
Annabel Lee
Saltwater Taffy (On the Boardwalk)
Saltwater Taffy (On the Shoreline)
If Ever I Loved You

ACT II (mid-late September) -
I Sing For You
You Are Not (The Centre of the Universe)
Silken Smokescreens
Like the Moon in the Ocean
All I Need
Lined Pages of a Notebook Full of Love Music
Peripatetic, Gypsy, Boheme
On a Sunday in 1912 (April the 14th)
Dead Little Marionette Doll
Each Mistake I’ve Made

ACT III (mid-late October & mid-late December) -
Ophelia’s Song
Because I Was Daydreaming
Forgive Me (If I Fall Apart)
Birdsong
Fallen Star Waltzes in the Sea
oborozukiyo
Christmas Eve
Rosewood Harlequin

oborozukiyo is all lower case on purpose. =3;

Title: What D’Ye Do With an ‘alo on Earth? / It Sucks To Be Rosewood Glen
Original Song: What Do You Do With a B.A. In English?/It Sucks To Be Me - Avenue Q Cast
Date: April 05th, 2008

I listen to Avenue Q too much. ;o; Maybe I’ll write a comedy/parody musical, purely parodying songs of other musicals, with a very weird, kinda OOC plot. Clavichord first, though.

Princeton - Alice and Kaelyn
Kate - Kaori
Brian - James and Charlotte
Rod - Alida
Nicky - Ki’loh
Christmas Eve - Naoki
Gary Coleman - Guinevere
Daiki - Daiki

WARNING: LANGUAGE!

Kaelyn:
What d’ye do with an ‘alo on Earth,
sure’n, is this what my life was meant t’ be?
An ‘undred years o’ knowledge and plenty o’ sufferin’
‘ave earned me this useless little thing!

I kinna see the ones that I love
’cause we’re all so damn cursed!
An’ Twilight seems an awfully large place…

Yet, still I kinna shake
The feelin’ I’m supposed t’ make
A difference
In this wretched place…

…

[a bright spring break morning...]

Kaori:
Yo, James, Char!

James:
Hi, Kaori-obaa-san.

Charlotte:
Hiiiiii, Miss Kaori!

Kaori:
How you kids doing?

Charlotte:
Don’t ask!

James:
….Eh.

Kaori:
What’s up?

James:
…well, nothing new, that’s for damn sure.

Charlotte:
I’m stuck with this emo pianist who hates me.

James:
[twitches]

Kaori:
Oh, er. Sorry, Char, Jamie.

Charlotte:
Me too!

James:
[laughs scornfully]
Yeh. Me too.
I mean… look at me! I’m only ten years old, and I always thought– … oh…

Charlotte:
… What?

James:
Nothing. It’s bloody stupid.

Kaori:
Aww, come on, kiddo. This is totally off-the-record, non-plot, breaking-of-the-fourth wall insanity! -wraps her arm around James- What’s wrong?

James:
Well…
When I was little,
I thought Tori and I would be…

Charlotte:
What?

James:
Together forever
Like lov–no, that’s not what I mean…
(God, that’s so bloody cliche!)

Brother and sister should be
And as you can see..
We’re not.

Charlotte:
Nope!

James:
Oh, God,
It sucks to be me!

Kaori:
Now there–

James:
It sucks to be me!

Charlotte:
It’s your fault!

James:
It sucks to be completely fucked by Riza who
Threatens to kill my whole, entire family
It sucks to be me!

Charlotte:
…oh.
Well…
My life sucks, too!

James:
Oh?

Kaori:
Now, now–I’ve dealt with Riza before.
(That bitch.)
I’m always working
And pretty damn smart!

James, Charlotte:
You are.

Kaori:
Thanks!
I like brand-new things
Like laptops and nailpolish
But as you know
I have a psychotic partner
So my house is burnt down
On a weekly basis
Fuck!
It sucks to be me!

James:
Me too.

Charlotte:
It sucks to be me!

James:
It sucks to be me!

Charlotte:
It sucks to be Jamie–

James:
…

Kaori:
And Kaori!

James:
To “hate” my family

Kaori:
To live in hell’s flames

James, Kaori, Charlotte:
It sucks to be me!

[Ki'loh and Alida walk by, arguing over something]

Ki’loh:
I do not–

Alida:
Yes, you do, and you know it!

Ki’loh:
Just shut up!

Alida:
Oh, how mature!

Kaori:
Yo! Ki’loh, Alida!
Haven’t seen you two lately.
What’s up?

Ki’loh:
Hi.

Alida:
NOTHING.

Charlotte:
Oh! Hey,
Whose life sucks more -
James’ or Kaori’s?

James:
[DEATH GLARE]
CHARLOTTE!!!

Ki’loh/Alida:
Pfft.
OURS.

Alida:
We’ve always lived together

Ki’loh:
We’re just about as close
As anyone can be

Alida:
We’ve been the closest of friends

Ki’loh:
Ever since the day we met

Alida:
So she knows every
Little tiny way
To make me really upset!

Ki’loh:
[scoffS]

Alida:
Oh, every day is an exasperation

Ki’loh:
Because you’re such an aggravation!

Alida:
You’re always running around town

Ki’loh:
That’s be–

Alida:
Your cigarette smoke lingers in the air

Ki’loh:
Oh, yeah?
You do such ireful things
Like giving me the death stare!

Charlotte:
[snickers]

Alida:
You make that tiny little
Apartment we share
Like hell

Ki’loh:
So do you!
That’s why I’m in hell, too!

Alida:
It sucks to be me!

Ki’loh:
No, it sucks to be me!

Kaori:
It sucks to be me!

James:
It sucks to be me!

All:
Is there anybody here
It doesn’t suck to be?

Daiki:
^-^

All:
…
It sucks to be me!

[Naoki appears out of nowhere, leans against his Portable Wall(TM)]

Naoki:
Why the hell are you all so happy?!

Ki’loh:
Because our lives SUCK.

Naoki:
Hah. Your lives suck?!
Did I hear that correctly? Hah!

I joined up with Morrigan
For more opportunities (to kill!)
But she’s so controlling
She won’t leave me the fuck be!
I have to work hard
Just to prove to her that I’m “worthy”
Or, so she says
And now she’s more forgiving
But she still annoys me
And I have to deal with her
Raping Mira with disregard to me
(and my ears–oh, God, the screams!)

It sucks to be me!
It sucks to be me!
I say it
Sucks-sucks-sucks-sucks-
Sucks-sucks-sucks-sucks-
Sucks-sucks-sucks-sucks-
Sucks-sucks-sucks-sucks-
SUCKS!
It sucks to be me!

[Alice and Kaelyn enter]

Alice:
Excuse me?

Charlotte:
Hey, there.

Kaelyn:
We dinna mean t’ interrupt ye
But we’re lookin’ for someone–

Naoki:
Okay, buy why the hell look HERE?

Alice:
Well, we started at St Ender’s Point
But I guess fate doesn’t like being tempted with
So I thought maybe if I ran into that someone here–
Oh, and look - there’s snowflakes!

James:
You might want to talk to–

Charlotte:
Someone HELPFUL.
I’ll get her!

Kaelyn:
Thank ye kindly!

Charlotte:
[calls out loudly]
HEY, GWENNY!!

Guinevere:
[from a distance]
Oh, give me a moment! Blimey!

[Guinevere runs onto the scene, straightening out her sailor uniform]

Kaelyn:
Oh, my word!

Alice:
It’s Miss Guinevere!!

Guinevere:
Quite right, it’s me!

I’m Guinevere Laramie
From Romsey in England
I took the Titanic’s maiden voyage
That ended in gasps and chokes!
Now I’m dead
And I’m worse off
Than a stupid flippin’ ghost
But I’m here -
The resident British transfer
In Rosewood Glen!

All:
………
It sucks to be you!

James:
You win.

All:
It sucks to be you!

Kaori:
I feel better now…

Guinevere:
Try losing the love of your life
For centuries and all of eternity!
Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’!
…
It gets old.

Chorus:
It sucks to be them
In Rosewood Glen

Alida:
Sucks to be me!

Chorus:
In Rosewood Glen

Kaori:
Sucks to be you!

Chorus:
In Rosewood Glen

All:
Sucks to be us!
But not when we’re together

Naoki:
…What?!

All:
We’re together
Here in Rosewood Glen!

James:
Wait, who wrote THIS?

Daiki:
^-^

All:
We live in Rosewood Glen!
Our friends do, too!

Charlotte:
-groan- Oh my–

All:
‘Til our dreams come true,
We live in Rosewood Glen!

Kaelyn:
Aye, sadly…

All:
We live in Rosewood Glen!

Ki’loh:
You grow to love it!

All:
We live in Rosewood Glen!

Guinevere:
It’s sad and true.

All:
We live in Rosewood Glen!

Daiki:
^-^

Alice:
[long sigh]

Clavichord focuses on the broken lives and loves of three groups of students at Moraine Private Academy in Rosewood Glen; the “two-thirds clueless, completely hopeless” ones, Matthew, Jayne and Minami - the “time-cursed” ones, Guinevere, Dylan, Sonya, Daniel and Jason - and most prominently, the “tragic triangle,” James, Victoria and Seth. Through the production of a school play, they come to terms with unchangeable facts and struggle to cope with tragedy.

….

Okay, I HATE writing descriptions. ;_; Ahh.

So yes. I guess that’s the basic premise of the play. It’s a musical, but a drama - though of course, there’s comedy! I’m thinking three acts, rather than just two. The song list looks like this so far -

Twelve o’Clock (Noon) - Moraine Academy Students
Life is Like a Musical - Moraine Academy Students
Kiss and Kill - Morrigan, Mira, Naoki, Misaki
Twelve o’Clock (Midnight) - James and Victoria
Come Josephine, In My Faraway Dream… - Guinevere and Jason
Saltwater Taffy (On the Boardwalk) - Matthew and Jayne
Saltwater Taffy (On the Shoreline) - Minami
Annabelle Lee - Seth
Ashwood Isle - Caeden and Kasumi
If Ever I Loved You - James and Victoria
Silken Smokescreens - Riza, Sayurii, Gwendolyn, James, Matthew and Jason
Peripatetic, Gypsy, Boheme - Shayla and Moraine Academy Students
On a Sunday in 1912 (April the 14th) - Guinevere, Dylan, Jason, Sonya, Daniel and Nolle
Dead Little Marionette Doll - Seth and Victoria
Ophelia’s Song - Victoria
Forgive Me (If I Fall Apart) - Jayne, Matthew, Jason, Dylan, Seth and James
Birdsong - James
Rosewood Harlequin - All

- and is not finished. ;_;