Rachel Berry ★

[Rachel is holding a notepad close to her chest, looking somewhat somber. She's outside, in the ashy snow, with her dog at her side, by a tree that is half burnt and broken, twisted by the event. When she speakss, her voice is quiet.]

I have heard a lot of discontent over what has happened -- and people have every right to be angry with Mister Mandrake and Miss Hino -- but I think our real focus should not be on punishing two people who made a mistake and instead should be focused on the reality that we are going to run out of food before the next snowstorm of the season. Which is why I've organized three food drop-off points within the city in some of the stable buildings that are still standing. I would like to transform two of these buildings into a shelter and while I have heard Miss Hino has already opened the Temple of Heaven to those that need it, I would also like to point out that St. Basil's Cathedral is large and able to house a lot of people.

[She pauses before looking down at her pad.]

I've set up massive crates at the Temple of Heaven, St. Basil's Cathedral, and at the fountain in the Safezone. These crates are for any canned, jarred, or non-perishable food that can be spared for the people that have lost anything. I will collect whatever food is there three times a day, to be delivered at the closest area of need, but most of the collection will be going to either Miss Unohana's clinic or the two abovementioned buildings. I am going to rely on the honor system that no one will steal from these crates, but should people do so, please keep in mind that there are over one hundred people in this city that require food just as much as you do.

Any donations of blankets, clothes, and other materials needed that were lost in the fire are also appreciated. Please leave those in the crates, too -- I will ensure they are taken to the shelters and safehouses scattered around the city. And --

[Rachel chews on her lower lip.]

I know this is a very difficult time and a lot of people don't... necessarily believe in this, but I am going to St. Basil's Cathedral tonight at seven o'clock, should anyone else want to pray with me. Everyone is invited and -- for future reference --

[And Rachel sends the coordinates to The Temple of Heaven, the fountain, St Basil's Cathedral, and Unohana's clinic in a text attachment to everyone on the network.]

-- there's where you have to go.

Thank you.

[And Rachel shuts off the feed.]

[Oh, good afternoon, Adstringendum. Have one miss Rachel Berry, who is sitting outside, tying flowers into a large chain. There are already flowers tucked into her hair, but she seems intent on making more. Her puppy, Evita, is lounging at her side, half-asleep in the sunlight, but Rachel doesn't seem bothered enough to wake her up.

And did we mention that million dollar Miss America smile?]

Hello, Adstringendum!

[It's positively sung -- and Rachel looks towards the camera.]

I know that, lately, a lot of horrible things have happened -- people have died, been tortured, and other such horrific things that truly have no place in a civilized society. However, I believe we can all get past this with grace -- which is why I have a number of suggestions in order to make life here slightly easier and well -- better.

For starters, I believe we could all start by working on the tiniest amount of self-control. This will be difficult, but I have full faith we can all manage admirably with the support and well-being of our fellow man.

I also think we could all get together this week and try to get to know one another a bit better. We are all living here -- and I think we could all begin to act like one big cohesive family, as we should be! Perhaps we could have a picnic -- and we could all share wonderful and marvelous things about ourselves, like our talents, or our favorite foods, or what we like the most about the city! We all have things we enjoy doing, so we should share them!

And maybe we could also have something of a fair! My favorite part of this time of year is when all of the fresh fruits and vegetables come in and my dads would take me to the fair every year and let me eat whatever I wanted, because as I live in Ohio, there is not much option to eating unique delicacies that are not friend, and the majority of things fried are in an animal by-product -- which reminds me, does anyone know how to make tofu? I bet we could find soy beans and -- I would love hummus, has anyone ever had that before? Chick peas are delicious.

[She drapes her flower chain around the neck of Evita, who stretches with a yawn, and Rachel grins down at the puppy.]

I could even put on a performance for later in the day -- something to capture the bright and cheerful atmosphere! Bright and cheerful, bright and cheerful... Oh! I have it!

[She pulls the puppy up onto her hindlegs, and Evita blinks at her, before Rachel starts to sing, almost nose-to-nose with the mutt.]

If you wake up and don't want to smile, if it takes just a little while -- open your eyes and look at the day! You'll see things in a different way!

[Evita barks, and Rachel hugs the puppy.]

Don't! Stop! Thinking about tomorrow, don't! Stop! It'll soon be here -- it'll be better than before -- yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone --

[Don't mind her. She's just going to keep singing to her puppy and building flower chains until someone tells her to shut up. And even then, Rachel will probably keep going.]

[Rachel is sitting on the steps of Solve, outside, holding a beat up acoustic guitar. It is a little big for her -- as are most things in Adstringendum, save for the clothes that Kurt managed to hem and tailor for her to fit her small frame -- but she manages it well enough. She carefully picks through the strings, frowning as she tunes it, her head tilted to listen to each note carefully. Apparently, it isn't to her satisfaction -- Rachel looks displeased as she fiddles with the strings before, finally, she beams.]

Oh, finally -- now...

[Rachel frowns to herself in concentration as she tries to remember a certain chord, just to test out her tuning and stringing job. She strums the guitar gently, singing something softly to herself, before she picks a song, brow knit in focus as she plays. There are a couple mistakes -- Rachel is only a recent fan of classic rock, after all -- but she manages pretty well -- and just when she opens her mouth to sing the first verse of the song --

Snap.

Two strings snap and whip across Rachel's fingers, causing her to nearly drop the guitar in surprise as the ugly sound echoes. She immediately shakes out her hand, tears welling in her eyes at the cut, before she glares down at the guitar.]

That was unnecessary -- ow --

[And the PCD cuts off at Rachel shaking out her hand, blood dribbling down her fingers.]

[The dust motes are hanging in the early morning air as the PCD turns on. It shows a dusty space, with rows of seats, a mottled curtain, and a hanging cinema screen on a rather large stage. On the stage is one Miss Rachel Berry -- wearing, for once, rolled up jeans, sneakers, and a large sweatshirt. Half of her body is behind the cinema screen -- she seems to be messing around with something behind it.]

Come on...I know you can go up, I know you can --

[Suddenly, the screen moves -- and you can hear Rachel's triumphant 'yes' from the PCD's position. A few yanks of a chain later and the screen is rolled up neatly against the ceiling, leaving behind an empty stage.

Rachel dusts off her hands before glancing out towards the seats and, for probably the first time since she's been in Adstringendum, Rachel Berry looks completely and utterly at ease, comfortable, happy, in her element.

She steps forward, until the very tips of her toes are hanging off the stage, and her breath catches in her throat as she stares into the empty seats. For the briefest moment, Rachel looks as if she's somewhere else -- her posture is straighter, her eyes are fixated on a crowd that simply isn't there. She raises a hand, her fingers splayed, towards the ceiling of the theatre --

-- before she drops it to her side, breathless with excitement as she rocks back onto the balls of her feet.]

This is going to be perfect.

[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.]

Well, now that the insanity has passed.

[Rachel is hanging up her green scarf, a testament to her own team loyalty, before she turns to her PCD, hands on her hips. She means absolute business.]

We can get down to actual business! Our talent has rested far too long and I believe auditions have been postponed long enough. So, I move to make an official date -- next Monday, at the old schoolhouse, at 4:00 PM. You will arrive promptly and, on a first come first serve basis, Kurt and I will judge whether or not you are worthy to join our singing ensemble.

Blaine, you will also have to try out, as I have no proof of your talent.

[With one last smile to the camera, Rachel shuts off her PCD.]


ooc: An open log can be thrown up next week for some funtimes, if that's okay with Lydia. ♥