13 [Video]

[somethingspecial]

It's almost February 14th.

[Rachel is peering at her calendar. She's drawn a heart over February 14th -- Valentine's Day -- but the bubble over her head seems rather somber, for some reason. You would think Rachel -- a girl who loves being loved and sings her heart out -- would look forward to Valentine's Day... but instead, the bubble just looks depressed.

Rachel, however, is well-practiced at her smile, and she looks at the camera almost sunnily.]

What is everyone planning on doing for Valentine's Day?

Comments

[Video]

[exarmatio]

I'd like that.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

It takes a lot of work. Are you up for the challenge?

[Video]

[exarmatio]

I'm up for any challenge.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

Then you may meet me in the living room and I shall teach you to better control your emotions.

[Because Rachel has felt like she has wanted to cry all day, for missing Finn, but her bubble has looked somber at best. She hates making people worry.

Though, to her credit, she often just wears her heart on her sleeve and to hell with it -- with Finn, it's different.]

[Video]

[exarmatio]

Alright. I'll be there shortly.

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

[Rachel will be waiting, sitting on the couch, her legs crossed.]

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

[And here comes Negi, wearing one of those hooded sweatshirts that is obviously too big to be his.]

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

-- nice sweatshirt, Negi.

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

... it's... not mine.

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

Of course.

[Riiiiiight.]

Can you cry on demand?

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

[Pause.]

... n-no, why would you want to...?

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

It's an excellent exercise in emotional control.

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

... I don't know that I could do that...

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

I can cry on cue.

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

... what is the point, though? Besides emotional control.

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

I'm an actress, Negi. I have to be able to represent all ranges of emotion.

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

How difficult is it?

[Offline] 1/2

[somethingspecial]

[Her expression grows more somber -- her eyes dampen, her mouth is slightly open, and she looks impossibly hurt and devastated, as if someone had just told her she would never sing again.]

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

[Before a tiny sob escapes and her hands fly to her mouth. Tears are held just barely by her lashes and she looks like she's about to burst into tears at any given moment.]

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

[And for this particular moment? Yeah, Negi kind of forgets Rachel is only pretending. So have this face.]

M-Miss Rachel...!

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

[And, just like that, Rachel smiles brightly and wipes her eyes.]

It's quite easy!

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

[DAMMIT YOU HAD HIM SCARED.]

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

... I'm fine, Negi, it was just acting.

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

But it looked really... real...

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

If it looked fake, it wouldn't be any good.