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

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[exarmatio]

Glee Club?

[Sorry, that drew all his attention from his impending "I'm a teacher, this is what to do" speech.]

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[somethingspecial]

It's called New Directions. ... you know, a glee club. Show choir?

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[exarmatio]

Oh! A choir! Mahora has one of those. A few of my students are in it.

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[somethingspecial]

It's like a choir with choreography. I'm the lead female vocalist.

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[exarmatio]

Ah, really? So that's why you were singing!

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[somethingspecial]

Well, just because I'm stuck in an alien world with no friends, family, or proper sound system doesn't mean I can let my voice falter through non-practice!

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[exarmatio]

Exactly. That's what I think, too. I practice my kenpou every day.

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[somethingspecial]

Ken-what?

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[exarmatio]

Kenpou. It's a form of martial arts.

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[somethingspecial]

Oh. I don't do stuff like that. I'm not -- you know, athletic or anything -- but I'm the best singer in McKinley High! And I'm the co-captain of New Directions. I'm going to be on Broadway one day. You know, New York City -- the Great White Way -- to be a star!

[And she'll hum to herself.]

So I hope you don't mind singing. I practice every day.

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[exarmatio]

... you're very ambitious, Miss Berry. I wish you all the best.

[And it's genuine, really.]

I don't mind singing at all.

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[somethingspecial]

Without ambition, what do you really have?

And good. Do you have requests?

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[exarmatio]

Exactly.

[And, a pause while he thinks.]

... none that I can think of. I like pretty much anything.

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

Great! New Directions has done a lot of Journey lately because that was our medley for Regionals -- and I only sing half of the solos because Finn sings the other half -- but I'm sure I can expand to suit the musical needs of everyone else here!

[Projects. Rachel can do projects. She may suck at everything else but singing and projects, but she can do both marvelously.]

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

What is Journey?

[Offline] 1/2

[somethingspecial]

[Offline] 2/2

[somethingspecial]

Do you want me to sing it?

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[exarmatio]

Oh, ah, yes! Please!

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[somethingspecial]

[NEGI, YOU ARE RACHEL'S INSTANT FAVORITE PERSON.

She'll be quiet for a moment, humming to herself to catch up in the song, before singing Faithfully, but picking up after Finn is supposed to leave off. She tries her best to keep the volume control, but the rest of the house may hear her belting out the end of it.]

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

[NEGI SUPPORTS STUDENT ACTIVITIES, MAN.

But he'll listen, not minding if she gets loud, or gets carried away. He's done the same when it comes to something he loves. And he'll even clap once the song is over.]

[Offline]

[somethingspecial]

[SERIOUSLY, MAN, BEST PERSON EVER, HE EVEN CLAPS. And Rachel will finish with a bow and a grin. Singing always makes her feel better. And the fact that Negi is clapping makes her feel even better.]

Thank you!

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[exarmatio]

You're very, very good! It's no wonder you've got such high aspirations!

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[somethingspecial]

Thank you! I've been in training since I was three months old. My dads took my cultural training very seriously and I've sacrificed pretty much everything [like her social life, her popularity, you know, the important stuff] to make it to the top.

No one in New Directions wants it as badly as I do. I'd do anything to win... but I'm stuck here for now.

[Offline]

[exarmatio]

[Wait wait wait, hold the phone on TWO ACCOUNTS--]

Three months old?

... dads?

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[somethingspecial]

[Why does everyone make her repeat this, is this world backwards or something?]

I have two gay dads. And yes! I have the trophies to prove it.