43 [Accidental Video]

[somethingspecial]

[Rachel is in the kitchen, chopping up apples to put them into a pie. She has a look of great concentration on her face as she tips the apples and cinnamon and nutmeg into the pie crust, which is already at her right. When she's done filling the pie, she gently rolls out the upper crust, before Rachel does something she hasn't done since her death -- sing. It's soft, gentle, and entirely absent, but it's there.]

It's been a long time since I came around... been a long time, but I'm back in town -- and this time I'm not leaving without you...

[Her fingers pause, in pinching the crust closed, and one hand immediately flies to her throat, startled -- before she sings a little bit louder. It's hesitant, and a little out of practice, and Rachel doesn't sing to her true strength, but it's still on key.]

You taste like whiskey when you kiss me, oh, I'd give anything again to be your babydoll...this time I'm not leaving without you...

[Her fingers move away from her throat to continue making the pie crust, but she keeps singing to herself, quietly, but with the tiniest smile on her lips. By the time she' s finished with the song, the pie is finished, and she turns neatly to slide the pie into the oven. When she's done with that, Rachel turns again, to grab at her PCD, unaware that it's recording.]

[Filtered to the Glee kids // Private // Unhackable]

We will need to start rehearsal for prom immediately.

[Filtered to Hanna Marin // Private // Unhackable]

I will need help designing a set list for your prom.

Comments

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

I can tell. [A small smile]

Though you are a performer as well, are you not?

[somethingspecial]

Yes! Well -- an aspiring one, I suppose, but I will make it.

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

Never an easy road, but one worth traveling.

How old are you?

[somethingspecial]

Sixteen.

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

[A small smile]

That was about when I got into the Music School. I think.

[somethingspecial]

You sing? Dance? Act?

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

All of the above.

[She sits up very straight and folds her hands in her lap, obviously reciting]

A proper Takarazuka otokoyaku must excel in all aspects of theatre and beyond. Only those with the greatest dedication and skill can hope to one day bear the coveted title of a Top Star.

[somethingspecial]

Are you any good?

[Meet Rachel. She has no shame.]

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

Nearly two thousand girls audition for the Music School every year. There were forty eight in my class.

Yes. I am very good.

[somethingspecial]

I am better.

[Well, Rachel doesn't actually know that. But she has always been remarkably confident.]

-- I can show you, when I've healed.

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

Challenge accepted, gaijin-chan.

[somethingspecial]

[She has no idea what that means, but -- ]

It's Rachel. Rachel Berry.

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

Miyaki Ren.

[She debates mentioning her CV, but opts to just give a slight nod of her head]

It should be... interesting to say the least.

[somethingspecial]

Extraordinarily. I have a lack of proper competition in this world.

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

You sing soprano, I assume?

[somethingspecial]

Yes, though I can sing alto if required.

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

Oh no, no, no, you're fine. I sing mostly male roles anyway.

[somethingspecial]

You must have a wonderful range.

[nomorefeathers.livejournal.com]

Eh, what little top range I had got beaten out of me somewhere in between school and six years in the Revue as an otokoyaku. I'm not quite a true countertenor, but I try.