32 [Voice]

[somethingspecial]

[There is the faintest tinkling of piano through the feed, forming the beginning of the finale to one of the best Broadway musicals of all time -- well, if you ask her anyway. A well-trained ear will be able to hear uneven breathing, very faintly -- but it stops, soon enough, as Rschel begins to sing.]

I'm limited...

[The quickest inhale of breath, as Rachel forces herself to speak the lines that melt in between the beautiful melodies of the song.]

Just look at me -- I'm limited...and just look at you, you can do all I couldn't do...Glinda...so now it's up to you... For the both of us. Now it's up to you...

[There is the slightest hitch of breath, as Rachel continues to play -- the moment of hesitation quickly being glossed over as Rachel begins to sing Glinda's role.]

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason...bringing something we must learn and we are led to those that help us most to grow -- if we let them... and we help them in return...well, I don't know if I believe that's true -- but I know I'm who I am today, because I knew you...like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun... like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood... who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you... I have been changed for good...

[The piano playing becomes more emphatic, stronger, more passionate, and when Rachel sings the next piece of the song, there is something very different about her voice. It is stronger, passionate -- it is the perfect fit -- because Rachel has reached Elphaba's piece of the famous duet and this is the role that she belongs in.]

It may well be that we will never meet again in this lifetime... so let me say before we part -- so much of me is made from what I learned from you -- you'll be with me, like a handprint on my heart -- and now whatever way our stories end -- I know that you have re-written mine by being my friend --

[Her voice chokes, ever so slightly, at the tail-end of the last note -- but Rachel is a professional and she sings through it bravely, not skipping a beat, despite her error.]

Like a ship that's blown from mooring by a wind off the sea -- like a seed dropped by a skybird in a distant wood -- who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good --

[A brief silence, as Rachel plays, before she delivers the next words with such emotion and heartbreak that it's almost entirely believable that she's singing on stage in front of a sold out crowd in the Gerswhin.]

And just to clear the air, I ask forgiveness for the things I've done you blame me for -- [the slightest pause, as Rachel switches roles seamlessly] -- but then I guess we know that there's blame to share -- and none of it seems to matter anymore -- !

[And her voice swells, as Rachel carries the note while playing the piano to keep up, before she sticks solely to Elphaba's role. There are numerous glitches -- singing that passionately while trying not to burst into tears is difficult, to say the least, but Rachel doesn't seem to care. Her perfectionism is lost in the moment, and she tries her best to continue with the song.]

Like a ship blown from it's mooring by a wind of the sea! Like a seed dropped by a skybird from in a distant wood! Who can say if I've been changed for the better -- ?

[And, suddenly, Rachel's voice softens, and so does the piano, into a quiet admission.]

... I do believe I have been changed for the better. And because I knew you... because I knew you... because I -- knew you... I have been changed...

[The final notes of the piece follow the last dying notes of the song as Rachel whispers the final two words.]

For good.

[There is a long silence, and it may almost appear that Rachel Berry has hung up on Adstringendum -- or that the recording was an accident -- before she continues quietly.]

Kurt Hummel has left Adstringendum.

[And the feed ends after that.]

Comments

[Video]

[huntressrip.livejournal.com]

[Rip can tell there is emotion in the piece but she ignores it simply to hear the song. Once it ends, she begins to quietly clap. Even the huntress can tell it was beautiful even if she is unfamiliar from where it came from.]

[Voice]

[somethingspecial]

[She doesn't answer, but there is the softest hitch of breath on the other end of the feed. Rachel heard, loud and clear.]

[Text]

[shiro_megane_kun]

[There isn't applause this time. In fact there isn't even a feed. But though he doesn't respond in video or even voice, that isn't because she didn't elicit a reaction. Quite the opposite. It happens to touch something deeper with him, conjuring and expressing feelings toward his sensei and his nakama that he himself doesn't have all the words for. It takes him sone time to even find the words to answer, seeingly brief as they are.]

That was a very beautiful song.

[Text]

[somethingspecial]

It is the closing duet to the musical Wicked.

[Text]

[shiro_megane_kun]

I'm afraid I must admit I'll never attended a musical theatre performance in my life.

The song does make me consider giving this one a try, at least.

[Well, once he goes home. If he remembers.]

THIS JOURNAL HAS MOST OF MY SAD BLAINE ICONS SO THERE

[soverydapper.livejournal.com]

He just...can't be gone Rachel...he can't be.

[He's been looking for Kurt for hours and he can't get through to Kurt's PCD and it just isn't like him to not respond. He's trying really hard to deny this, but reality is hitting him too hard.]

SOBBING BLAINERS

[somethingspecial]

[She wants nothing more than to crawl into bed and pretend this world doesn't exist. She wants to be by herself and sob and let all of the pain and loneliness out, because Kurt -- Kurt was her sense of reality and stability in this insane and crazy world. He was her best friend -- the one person she can count on, in this world, in her own world --

But something inside Rachel causes her to lift her head, and smile through her tears, even though it is quite obvious that this is killing her.]

I was going to sing every song I have ever sung with him today. It is quite the long list -- you should come join me.

HE IS A WRECK RIGHT NOW

[serenadesdragon.livejournal.com]

[He's really trying to hold back his tears right now and it's taking everything in him just to do that. Kurt had slowly become his everything, his other half...he doesn't know how he's going to survive without him.]

[Blaine glances up but quickly looks back down. Seeing Rachel with tears in her eyes like this will only make him cry.]

...where are you? The Casino?

[Because that was the only place he knew of with a piano...and it was also the location of his and Kurt's first official date.]

[Voice]

[genkireaper]

[It takes a while before Botan manages to start the feed. With the passion in the song, it seemed to have struck something very fresh that she wanted to manage before saying anything.]

That was absolutely beautiful. You truly have a gift...

While I don't know either of you, I'm truly sorry that your friend has left.

[Voice]

[somethingspecial]

[Normally, Rachel is over the moon at any and all compliments. She lives for the thrill of applause and approval and that 'You are the best' feeling.

But instead of making her smile, the words do... nothing. Because the performance wasn't about being the best. It was about trying to do something about that large heavy weight settling in her heart.

So when she speaks, it's quiet, and oddly hollow.]

He is much better off there.

[video]

[hardcorecute.livejournal.com]

Was he your friend, Rachel? I'm sorry he went away.

[voice]

[somethingspecial]

He was my only competition.

[That is Rachel Berry for 'He is my best friend in the entire world and it simply isn't fair that he's gone and left.']

offline;

[hasacarebear.livejournal.com]

[So yes Kurt and Jesse never gotten along. Their lives were a mix of constant bickering, with a few peaceful moments when Kurt found out the obvious that Jesse understood fashion.

But at Rachel's request all those weeks ago he really tried to be civilized since he knew how important Kurt was for Rachel.

And now he's gone. And Jesse knows that a part of Rachel has also gone with him. Since, he's not a fool, he always knew these New Directions kids will have something with her that he'll never have, being Vocal Adrenaline.

Still, he knows he needs to be with Rachel. He needs to be there for her, and to show her she can lean on him. But other than that, it really is hard to kick away the thought of - what if he goes home too? Rachel is strong but still - and moreover, what if Rachel goes home -

He just lays a hand on her shoulder]

offline;

[somethingspecial]

[She's in the middle of playing the opening notes to Happy Days Are Here Again -- all without sheet music, all to perfect. She doesn't know what else to do, in order to fix that ache she feels. It's horrendously selfish of her, to want Kurt trapped here -- but Kurt and Rachel have always been two sides of the same coin, from the moment they met each other all that time ago, in the auditorium for auditions. They are different, they are obscenely talented -- and they are both hated for their bravery.

They were lonely, but they didn't have to be alone.

Kurt was one of the first ones to stand up for her when Jesse betrayed her and egged her in the parking lot. He was one of the few who understood how seriously Rachel took her line of work -- and always rose to the occassion whenever Rachel needed an outlet for all of that talent of hers. He helped her get through Finn dumping her for the second time. He was there for her when Schuester took away her solo at Sectionals, when everyone else didn't understand how much it meant to her. Her former archrival had become her best friend before she could even think about it.

And in that friendship, Rachel found something that she had never really had before -- someone she could truly count on without risk of being judged or dropped. Finn isn't himself anymore -- and while she adored Noah, he didn't understand her at the level that Kurt did. Kurt knew everything Rachel was thinking before Rachel even thought it. He knew her favorite colors and her favorite foods and how much she hated it when she found street performers butchering her favorite songs or when the vegan hot dog place they frequent was out of organic ketchup. He was her true other half -- some sort of twisted friendship soulmate -- that sibling that she had always desperately wanted but never truly got.

And now he was gone.

When she feels his hand on her shoulder, Rachel doesn't move a muscle save for the piano -- but her fingers slip and the bad note rings clearly in the relatively empty performance space, and she closes her eyes to try and focus.]

... I completely butchered the crescendo.

[It's muttered -- because focusing on that, focusing on her mistakes, is so much easier than focusing on the fact that tomorrow morning, she will go to Kurt's room to help him sort through his clothes, and he will not be there.]

[video]

[unreadability]

The friend of yours who... publicly proclaimed his preference for men?

[voice]

[somethingspecial]

[She almost laughs, but the sound kind of dies in her throat.]

Yes.

[al_truism]

[... dammit. Al thought he'd been through crying for most of the disappearances. All these years, he should have thicker skin than this. But Kurt is family, part of the house. And without him it's suddenly so quiet.

And beyond that, all Al can think about is how Blaine must feel.]

... that was beautiful, Rachel.

[somethingspecial]

[She's silent, for a long moment, before she speaks, in a small voice.]

... I butchered the crescendo.

Kurt would never forgive me.

[Voice]

[masked-talent.livejournal.com]

<sub>[Erik doesn't quite know what to say. Her voice is good, her sense of pitch passable, but that crescendo and all those missed notes... Yech.

At the same time, she does seem to be suffering from the loss of a close friend, so perhaps he should refrain from criticizing her. Perhaps it was best to show her how it was done, while offering what little comfort he could.

And slowly, quietly, he started singing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ecs2eYTsF8&feature=related).]</sub>

You were once my one companion,
You were all that mattered.
You were once a friend and brother,
Then my world was shattered.

[Voice] 1/2

[somethingspecial]

[Voice]

[somethingspecial]

[In most scenarios, Rachel Berry would shut her mouth and allow the Phantom of the fucking Opera to sing to her. But something inside her brain clicks together -- and before she can properly stop herself, she is singing -- and this time, her voice is much better. Much more even, with no crying, and she sounds oddly peaceful.

Because this is her favorite song in the entire musical.]

Wishing you were somehow here again,
Wishing you were somehow near,
Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed
Somehow you would be here.

[Voice; Private]

[whatoncewashers.livejournal.com]

[Congrats, Rachel. You're the first person to hear Flynn talk about Rapunzel leaving.]

I, uh... Rapunzel's gone too.

[Voice; Private] THIS MADE ME :( SO HARD.

[somethingspecial]

[...]

... I am sorry.

[It's quiet.]

Would you like company?

[Leave it to Rachel to consider someone else's pain above her own. 8|]

[thelonegenin]

[There's a groan, and he's about to turn off the PCD-- but then... well, it just sounds so sad, and well, he ends up waiting until the very end.]

Oh-- That's why--

Ah. Uh, sorry...

[somethingspecial]

He belongs there.

[But it doesn't change the fact that Rachel wants him here.]