17 [Accidental Voice]

[somethingspecial]

[Twelve Midnight.]

Is this a -- ?

[A dozen beeps -- whoever has the PCD is pressing an assortment of buttons.]

Hello? Can anyone hear me? Mercedes? -- has she not set up her voicemail, this is ridiculous --

[Another series of buttons.]

Kurt? Hello, it's Rachel, I need someone to come pick me up -- is there no service? --

[A much longer pause, before the girl dials another series of numbers.]

... Finn?

[As if she would rather utter any other name and, this time, her voice trembles slightly.]

I really need someone to come pick me up, I think I've been kidnapped --

[But when no one answers, three buttons are pressed.]

Hello? -- even without service, 911 should work, what is this -- I told Dad I should have switched to Verizon --

[And then, the PCD clicks off.]

Comments

[Video]

[al_truism]

[He smiles, nods. It's a difficult thing, being away from your home, everything you know and love, with strangers knowing things about you.]

It probably isn't worth much right now, but... if you need questions answered, or if you need someone to talk to, I'll be right down the hall.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

[A watery smile as she hugs her trophy.

That means the world.]

Thank you very much, Alphonse.

[Video]

[al_truism]

[Al nods gently, the smile warming.]

I'll get you some water.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

I think I shall be there shortly.

[Video]

[al_truism]

I'll be in the kitchen once you've settled in. It's at the end of the hall, towards the yard.

[Video] -> [Offline]

[somethingspecial]

[She smiles a little before she juggles the PCD, switching it off. It takes her a couple of minutes to find the kitchen once she enters Solve, but Rachel manages.

At least she isn't sopping wet this time.]

Hello?

[Offline]

[al_truism]

[Al's in the kitchen, hands wrapped around a mug of hot tea for himself. When he hears her voice he gets up abruptly and has to fight back a wave of sadness amidst the excitement. He can't hug his friend to welcome her back. She doesn't have a clue who he is.]

Hi. In here.

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

[She smiles tentatively at the greeting, looking very much out of place. She's wearing a cotton dress, this time around, something she would wear to school on a normal day. She even has her backpack with her -- but her eyes are red and her hair something of a mess, her stockings covered in dirt from where she fell.

Despite this, Rachel takes a deep breath.]

Hello.

[Offline]

[al_truism]

[Al himself looks like someone from her school would. A hooded sweatshirt, frayed at the edges. Jeans. Hiking boots. He's about sixteen, long hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. Only his eyes look a little strange, hazel at first glance, with grey and gold somehow worked in. Al is softer around the edges, but the resemblance to his brother is there.

Al sets a glass of water at the table, gives her a tiny smile, and picks up a blanket he got from the couch. It's still cold at night. He hands it to her, and moves over to the stove to put more tea on. Give her a chance to make herself comfortable.]

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

[She takes the blanket, a little hesitantly, before setting her trophy on the table in order to wrap the blanket around her shoulders.]

Thank you.

[Offline]

[al_truism]

No problem.

[Al clinks the teacups, then takes a moment to really look at that Trophy.]

What did you win?

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

-- oh, I was elected as the Most Valuable Player.