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

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[somethingspecial]

I can cry on cue.

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[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.

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[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.]

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[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.]

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[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...

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[somethingspecial]

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

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[exarmatio]

I-I suppose not...

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[somethingspecial]

I promise, I'm not upset. My actual crying is much worse.

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[exarmatio]

I've seen your actual crying, Miss Rachel. But I don't think anyone looks very good while they're crying, really.

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

There is an artform to it to ensure that it doesn't look as terrible as it normally does.

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[exarmatio]

How would I go about doing it, then?

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

I normally focus on something that saddens me.

[Offline] 1/2

[exarmatio]

Something sad...?

[He'll pause, really thinking about it for a moment.]

[Offline] 2/2

[exarmatio]

[... and then suddenly bursts into tears.]

[Offline] 1/2

[somethingspecial]

[ -- ! ]

Excellent, Negi! That's really good, for your first --

[Offline] 2/2

[somethingspecial]

[paaaaaause.]

-- Negi? Are you okay?

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

[From the looks of his bubble, which suddenly has an awful-looking storm cloud in it, no. He lifts his hands, rubbing the tears away roughly, sniffling.]

S-sorry, sorry...

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

Negi...

[Well, now she feels terrible. She reaches out to put her hands on his shoulders.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset --

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

[His shoulders shake... but a soft laugh bubbles up from his throat. His hands move from his eyes, and although they're red and puffy, there's a little smile on his face. His bubble is still that darkened cloud, though.]

... got you.