31 [Video]

[somethingspecial]

Good afternoon, Adstringendum!

[Rachel is outside today, wearing a red shirt and a blue skirt, with white leggings and blue shoes. To the majority of Adstringendum, it appears that she's just wearing what she always wears, but to those that are hip to Rachel's tremendous amount of jive, she's rather... patriotic today.

She adjusts the PCD quickly before nodding firmly to herself.]

I do believe that should do it... well! For those of you that are American, today is Independence Day! And while the majority of you are not even from ... well, Earth or anything resembling it, I thought it would be appropriate for those to celebrate it accordingly. And back home, when I celebrate it, my dads take me to the parade, in which I sing the National Anthem, and we celebrate by eating Tofutti and vegan dogs -- but that is entirely besides the point.

[DEEP BREATH.]

The point is that I would like, very much, to sing it for you, so you may enjoy it for the beautiful song that it is, and so we can all share something of an Independence Day -- even if you aren't from America or Earth or the universe that I reside in.

[aka she's not going to give you a choice, adoring public. But to her credit, at least she sings the anthem beautifully and without error. And when she is done, Rachel gives a winning smile, before giving a curtsy, and the feed is shut off.]

Comments

[expunger]

If you think so. [Pure hyperbole, but these humans do get so excitable about their little corners of Creation.] Its true value comes from what it adds to the world around it.

[somethingspecial]

It adds beauty and hope and emotion to everything around you. Music is what moves everyone.

[Rachel hesitates, before she looks imploringly at Raphael.]

I'm sure there is music in Heaven -- what's your favorite song?

[expunger]

Hosannas. [Sorry to be boring. Except she really isn't.] There is no more beautiful sound.

[Except for the part where they're singing praises to an empty throne room, and only a handful of angels knows it.]

[somethingspecial]

Hoshana.

[It's an automatic correction -- sorry, Raphael, but Rachel is Jewish. 8|]

And I love them too.

[expunger]

They are-

[Did you just correct an archangel about Hosannas? This is not her impressed face. Or her... entirely believing face.]

[somethingspecial]

[She blinks, at the lack of continuing, before Rachel seems to realize what she just... did.

It's too bad Rachel has no real sense of shame.]

In Judaism, it's pronounced hoshana. For Sukkot. I'm not exactly a Jew for Jesus, so I don't really know the Christian versions of them... though ours did come first, I suppose, though I'm sure you know that --

[And then, Rachel brightens, because look! Even angels enjoy music, and luckily for Raphael, Rachel is very well-versed in the hoshana, as she is the one who sings them every year, so it is only natural to offer to sing them.]

I can sing them for you!

[expunger]

[This is the closest Raphael comes to jaw dropping.]

Rachel. I am an archangel. [In the tone of explaining to a grown adult that one plus one equals two.] It has been pronounced Hosanna for a few thousand years. I know what it is to sing in the choirs of angels.

Do you have any questions?

1/2

[somethingspecial]

I know what you are. You sort of announced it to the world once you told all of us that Castiel was a bad person.

[Stare.]

[/DOES NOT SEE YOUR POINT]

[somethingspecial]

-- and no, I don't, but you didn't answer my question.

[expunger]

My point is that correcting an angel on a matter of theological scholarship is not an argument you will win.

Rachel. [She's considerably gentler now. In her... way.] I trust you to be smarter than this. You remember what the angels were capable of and the fierce stories from Scripture.

[somethingspecial]

[That -- sinks in a little bit, before Rachel leans forward a little, brow furrowing slightly.]

I know what you're capable of -- but you're not going to hurt me, are you?

[expunger]

Of course not. You would never give me reason to, and you show both faith and passion. Coupled with humility, those are virtues that will only be rewarded, both by me and the One I serve. [From her inflection it's obvious which is more important.

Hint: it's the second thing. Really, Raphael does know her place.]

[somethingspecial]

It isn't a bad thing to be prideful of what you're good at, you know. Surely you have talents and hobbies that you enjoy doing, that you excel at. I know I am an excellent singer -- and as long as everyone else has the same opportunity I do in order to shine, well --

[Her bright smile is back!]

Then there is truly nothing to worry about. But I am sorry if I offended you.

[She does mean that genuinely.]

[expunger]

Reasonable pride in your G-d-given talents is one thing, but that is not what I meant. [Can you hear the hyphen she pronounced it for you]

[She nods in acknowledgment at the apology.]

You said you can sing Hoshanas.

[somethingspecial]

[Awww, Raphael, you are secretly a nice person. SOMEWHERE. Rachel has faith in you -- you will never get rid of her now. She brightens at the pronunciation, and then brightens further at the request.

... not that Raphael actually asked for the singing, Rachel sort of shoved it upon her, but details.]

Yes, I can. Would you prefer them in English or in Hebrew? I know them both.

[expunger]

Hebrew. [Not enough people speak well-enunciated Hebrew any more. Raphael shuts off the PCD and is suddenly there where Rachel is, looking expectant.]

[somethingspecial]

[Rachel opens her mouth to answer cheerfully when she hears the flap of wings and suddenly -- a tall archangel head bitch in charge is in front of her. She's more or less used to Anna's sudden appearances, so she doesn't quite tweak out -- though she does drop her PCD with something of a small yelp, only to stoop quickly to pick it up again.]

Right... Hebrew it is --

[It's somewhat nervewracking, to sing hoshanas in front of -- well, an angel of the Lord, but Rachel reminds herself that all audiences must be treated the same. This is no different than singing in front of a thousand people -- it's another performance, and that is something Rachel is very good at.

So, it's with a deep breath that Rachel begins to sing. It's heartfelt, passionate, and -- well, perfect. It would have to be. Rachel takes her craft very seriously.]

[expunger]

[Raphael stands there silently, hands clasped before her as she listens silently. The girl's voice is truly stunning and she sings the hoshanas absolutely perfectly, full of beautiful and vibrant joy, but Raphael suspects they are more for the love of singing than for the love of the Lord. The First Commandment always encroaches.

She nods her head with a small sort-of smile.] A worthy prayer to my Father. [From a being such as Raphael, any good word is serious praise.]

[somethingspecial]

[Hey, Rachel is a very devout Jew. 8( ... but singing is her true religion, sob, it is true. When she is finished, Rachel looks almost apprehensive of the possible criticism -- but when Raphael praises her, instead, Rachel positively beams.]

Thank you!