Rachel Berry ★

[Rachel is at a booth -- specifically, a game of skee ball. The wooden ball is clutched in her hands and she looks woefully unsure of herself. However, the individual running the stand encourages her to take a shot, and so Rachel does, the ball racing along the wooden track to sink neatly into the outmost ring, earning Rachel a tiny beaded bracelet.

Her jaw sets into a scowl at the small prize before she slides another smooth stone towards the operator, earning another wooden ball. She takes another shot, but it goes awry, and it lands once more in the lowest scoring ring. She earns another gaudy piece of costume jewelry and the operator of the booth seems to tell Rachel to try something else, but Rachel Barbra Berry is on a mission now.

The feed continues for at least twenty minutes -- Rachel pushing another stone forward and earning another ball. She gets a heap of small prizes -- plastic rings, tiny stuffed mice, a pencil with a rabbit eraser on it -- but eventually, Rachel lines up, and sinks the wooden ball in the direct center, on her very last stone, to earn a prize of her choice.

She selects a blue bear with a star on his stomach instantly, accepting the bear and her prizes -- which the operator has put into a bag for her -- with the first bright smile she has worn in at least a week. She holds up the bear, to inspect it, and her smile turns slightly watery, but she puts on a brave face all the same, before she speaks to the booth operator.]

Gold stars are my thing, you know. I sign my name with a gold star -- because gold stars are a metaphor, and metaphors are very important. They're a metaphor for me being a star.

[She pauses before she hugs the bear to her chest, ignoring the operator's lack of interest in her statement in favor of smiling to herself.]

I think I've forgotten that, lately.

[She beams at the operator before wandering off, taking up her PCD, with her Care Bear, after tossing a friendly:]

Thank you!

[Over her shoulder with a hum as she moves to the next ride.]

[Rachel sounds distracted -- but her tone is sincere and quiet, at least.]

I'm -- really sorry for how I acted this week. It seems, for a brief moment, that I entirely forgot where I came from and --

[There's the tiniest hitch of breath before Rachel clears her throat, steeling her nerves.]

While apologies will not take back what was said and done, I wouldn't feel right not offering one, anyway. So, I am sorry, and to whoever I spoke with during the event, I can assure you that I am not that much of a --

[...]

-- soulless witch.

( [Filtered to Blaine // Private // Unhackable] )

( [Filtered to Jesse // Private // Unhackable] )

[Rachel is seated on her bed, legs crossed, a notepad in front of her, a pen between her teeth. For a moment, she appears to not know the PCD is recording -- but then she looks up, checking something off on the paper on her lap.]

I have a few items to address, so if everyone would kindly listen, I would very much appreciate it.

First, I appear to have lost my memories of this place. Luckily, I am a very avid journal taker, so I have been re-reading my experiences in this world. To those who I was friends with, I would like very much to reconnect with you and catch up. [And here, a watery smile -- a warm tone.] So, please, tell me what I've forgotten. And I apologize for forgetting.

[She looks down at her notepad and ticks something off before continuing.]

Secondly, I would like very much to know what attacked Blaine so we can have that creature put down immediately. If it was not a creature, but a person, then I will have you know that you are a coward and worth none of the kindness these people possess. You will be caught and punished thusly -- if you have the courage to come forward and say something about it.

[Another look down, another check mark.]

Thirdly, I would like to arrange an official schedule for the Glee club rehearsals. To anyone who would like to join late, please contact either Kurt or I to schedule a time for us to listen to you sing.

[A hum -- another check mark -- and, suddenly, Rachel's voice becomes very tense with annoyance.]

And speaking of Kurt -- this is item four -- I would kindly like to speak with you concerning my business immediately. I will be in my room. If you do not come here within five minutes, I will come find you, and I will not be happy about it.

[Rachel looks down at her list, before humming in appreciation, flashing the PCD a smile as she reaches out to shut it off, before she pauses.]

... and, Jesse, I made it back safely.

[With that, she turns the PCD off.]