1 [Accidental Video]

[somethingspecial]

[The feed clicks on to show a girl dressed to the nines sitting on a rock. In the rain. In any other moment, Rachel Berry would appreciate the dramatic nuances of the scene, but for the moment? The girl looks scared, arms wrapped around herself, and she's shivering.]

This isn't funny. Whatever has happened, I'm going to figure it out. You hear me, Vocal Adrenaline?!

[And she's calling into the woods now, because obviously, this is the rival glee club's fault. She's serious.]

I'm going to get back to the performance hall and we're going to win, without your cheating! I demand to be returned at once!

[Her bravado is broken by a small sob as Rachel tucks her head into her arms once again, totally ignorant of the PCD recording her.]

Oh, Finn, where are you?

Comments

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

That's him.

... I'm Rachel.

[Video]

[followstheflame]

Good. You'll be safe.

Riza Hawkeye. It's good to meet you, Rachel, though these circumstances are less than pleasant.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

[An adult is always a comforting presence in this place for a lost scared kid. Rachel is no exception.]

Thanks, Miss Hawkeye.

[Video]

[followstheflame]

You're welcome. I'm sure we'll meet again in the future.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

I hope so.

How long have you been here?

[Video]

[followstheflame]

Almost a year and a half, now.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

[... a year and a half.]

That's a long time.

[Video]

[followstheflame]

Hm. It is. But no time passes in our world from when we're taken and when we eventually go back, nor do we remember our time here, if what others have said is true.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

... so I'm stuck here for however long and I go back whenever the -- Animus? The Animus say so.

[Have a huff.]

This isn't fair at all.

[Video]

[followstheflame]

That's right.

Life isn't fair, Rachel. We simply have to make the best of it.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

... right.

[After all, she has to make it to the top. Hardship is something to be expected! This is just another bump in the road.]

[Video]

[followstheflame]

There are a lot of good people here, though. Don't let it get you down.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

My family isn't here, though.

[Because Finn would have found her by now. Finn would have found her.]

[Video]

[followstheflame]

I know. You'll make new family.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

[Yeah, Hawkeye, that's some crying.]

I don't want a new family, I want my family. My dads and Finn and -- I'd even take Santana --

[Video]

[followstheflame]

[...Oh God. She's crying.]

There's nothing we can do about that.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

But what if I'm stuck here forever and they never show up?

[Video]

[followstheflame]

Then you're stuck here forever and they never show up. Rachel, you've been brought here and now you have to rely on yourself. It's difficult, I know, but otherwise you'll never make it.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

[She doesn't know if she can do that.]

...right.

[Video]

[followstheflame]

[Sigh.]

I apologize for being so cold. It's...not exactly in my nature to be comforting.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

It's fine. You can't change who you are. I wouldn't ask you to. I mean, I'm overly dramatic and have a penchant for bursting into tears, it's fine, I need to suck it up.

[Have some eye-rubbing. She's tough. She'll be fine.]

[Video]

[followstheflame]

At least you're honest.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

If I don't know who I am, then I won't make it to the top.

[And that gets a little smile.]

[Video]

[followstheflame]

[And that wording stops her for a second, and then she smiles.]

I can respect that.

[Video]

[somethingspecial]

Not very many people can.