49 [Video] After Raphael's death.

[somethingspecial]

[Text Sent To Network ; Attachment: Oh Holy Night]

[It's snowing. And Rachel is outside, clad in a green dress, with a red long jacket over it, complete with a green beret, readying a microphone outside of the theatre. It appears she's connected it to a speaker, which is connected to the sound system inside the theatre -- and the PCD is position directly on her, as Rachel wraps her hands around the microphone, to take a deep breath. It resonates, through the speaker, and through the network.]

It is now Christmas.

[It's quiet, and her voice echoes as she speaks into the microphone.]

I don't personally celebrate it, but as most of the individuals within the city are most familiar with the commercialized version of the holiday, I thought I would offer something of a prayer in song concerning what the holiday is supposed to be about -- so... I hope you enjoy it. And I sent a text message to all of you, with the lyrics, should you want to sing along. I would not mind the accompaniment.

[And Rachel turns slightly to press a button on a boombox that is situated on top of the speaker. There is a silence before the instrumental of the famous song begins to play, scratchy at first, before it becomes clear -- and then, Rachel takes another deep breath before she begins to sing.]



O Holy Night...the stars are brightly shining...! It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'till He appeared and the soul felt its worth...A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn --

[Rachel offers the tiniest of nervous smiles before she closes her eyes, her voice suddenly escalating with a sudden power and, more importantly, strength as she held onto the microphone tightly, allowing her emotion and her ability carry her through the more powerful and emotional portion of the ballad.]

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born -- O night divine! O night, O night divine!

[The instrumental backup begins to sing quietly behind her, and Rachel falls silent for a moment or two, and while her eyes remain closed, her smile is back, and she sings with a powerful amount of <i>love</i> as she allows the music to carry her through to the next verse.]

Truly He taught us to love one another... His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name all oppression shall cease! Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, with all our hearts we praise His holy name!

[And her eyes open as she lets go of the microphone, to sing with a newfound determination and conviction, to stare directly into the PCD, singing each and every last syllable with a particular amount of faith and strength and love -- ]

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born... O night! -- divine!

[And at that note, Rachel snaps her eyes abruptly shut to focus, drawing it out to just the perfect amount before her voice dips back into a soft, sweet soprano, before she opens her eyes slightly, cheeks wet with tears, her hands clutching the microphone stand tightly enough that her knuckles are white.]

O night, O night divine! Oh, O night divine!

[And, when the song is finished, she is quiet for a long moment before closing her eyes again, mouthing something silently to herself, before she murmurs a quiet 'thank you' and the feed shuts off with a slight tug of something -- a string, from Rachel's hand, and something lands on the button controlling the feed, shutting it off to the public.]



[Filtered to the angels // Private // Unhackable]

[She is still outside, snow settling on her shoulders, but the microphone is off, and Rachel is breathing evenly.]

I am in possession of Raphael's sword.

I will not be giving it back, under any and all circumstances, to anyone but her.

Please make no attempt to take it from me or I will do something about it.

[She is, oddly, completely and utterly serious.]

Comments

video, private;

[mohawks]

Did someone make you cry? Just say the word and I'll kick their ass, Berry.

video, private;

[somethingspecial]

[ -- okay, that makes her smile a little, and she quickly wipes her eyes before shaking her head slightly.]

No -- I'm okay.

video, private;

[mohawks]

You sure? You're crying.

[ SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY UP. ]

filtered;

[hedonisms]

Very pretty.

[ so...insincere ]

How ever did you come into possession of my brother's sword?

filtered;

[somethingspecial]

It isn't any of your business.

filtered;

[hedonisms]

On the contrary, it is my business when a weapon that could potentially end my life ends up in your rather unimpressive hands.

[ WHAT IF SOMEONE TAKES IT FROM HER???? ]

action;

[wishgrant]

[ Luca is going to camp out by the door, waiting for her to get home. ]

action;

[somethingspecial]

[It takes a little bit of time, but around half an hour later, Rachel is coming up the stairs, dusting snow off of her coat as she makes her way to the door, somber.]

action;

[wishgrant]

[ the second it opens, luca hops up blocking her way to get in. ] Miss Rachel?

Filter;

[checkoutpandora.livejournal.com]

[And here's a brother who doesn't care about the sword.]

For what it's worth, kiddo? You meant a hell of a lot to her too.

Filter;

[somethingspecial]

[ -- well. That's refreshing. And very much needed.]

Please don't utilize the past tense.

[But it's not so much a snap as it is a request.]

Filter;

[painhumbles.livejournal.com]

Right. She's coming back. No way in hell this place'll let her go- she's actually making progress. [Awkward Gabriel is awkward.]

[video]

[soothing_flame]

[After the song ends, it takes a while before Ai is able to speak up. When she does, her voice is quiet.]

That was beautiful.

[video]

[somethingspecial]

Thank you.

[She takes a deep breath before offering the faintest glimpse of a smile.]

[video]

[soothing_flame]

[Ai gives her own smile as she tries to think of what else to say.]

You, ah....you said you don't typically celebrate Christmas, right? Do you celebrate something else?

[video/private/unhackable]

[saintedsinner]

-=He doesn't know what to make of this, atm.=-

[video/private/unhackable]

[somethingspecial]

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, according to the Christian faith.

[She's steadily ignoring the expression, in favor of talking.]

The song tells that story.

[video/private/unhackable]

[saintedsinner]

Uh huh. How wonderful of them. -=Never a fan of religion.=-

They get a whole song dedicated to their holiday.

[addictedtobutts.livejournal.com]

[He looks at her in concern.]

Why are you crying, pretty lady?

[somethingspecial]

It's a very beautiful song that means a lot to me.

[It's only half of a lie.]

-- I'm okay.

[addictedtobutts.livejournal.com]

From the way you sang it, I believe that it is beautiful as well.

[His eyebrow shoots up.]

Not to pry or do I mean any disrespect, but do you often cry when you sing?

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

[Juliet has opened the attachment to sing along, but the pure emotion running through Rachel's voice stops her from even singing the first note. She listens, and by the end of the song, she is crying as well.]

That is beautiful, Rachel. Absolutely beautiful.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

Thank you, Juliet.

[Rachel tries for a tiny smile.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[thelightbringer]

[He can't help but wonder what 'doing something about it' would mean. Raphael was fond of the human, but not for any tactical reason. The idea of his brother's sword in Rachel's possession makes bile rise in his throat but he forces a smile.]

She'll be back to claim it soon. I'm sure she had her reasons for loaning it.

When did she give it to you?

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[somethingspecial]

[Rachel is terrified of Lucifer. She doesn't make much of an effort to hide it. But while she is afraid, Rachel sets her jaw, and squares her shoulders, and looks defiant all the same.]

It does not matter when she gave it to me.

What matters is that she did.