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.]

[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.]