[Video]

[ahandsomedevil]

Merlin's gone.

[At least he's not breaking things this time. But if possible, he looks even worse than when Johannes left.]

I'm...I need a few days away.

[To sneak around with Yuca, yes, but also to heal broken heart do manly stuff like smash beer cans on his head instead of crying.]

Raven, can you look after Alice? Please?

Comments

[Voice]

[showchoirstar]

[A familiar piano chord is the first thing that is heard through the PCD -- along with a quiet even breathing as whoever is behind the device plays. Soon, though, a familiar voice melts in seamlessly with the piano:]

Whenever I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me... speaking words of wisdom, let it be...and in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me... speaking words of wisdom, let it be...

[After all, Rachel isn't that fantastic with physical comfort -- or even actual words of comfort -- but singing, she can do that. And when faced with such a tragedy as so many people losing their friends, including Arthur -- well, there really is only one song that suits perfectly.

She will continue singing the song until it is over -- and as Rachel only has a piano at her disposal, that is the best the instrumental will get -- but when she finishes, she is silent.]

[Voice]

[ahandsomedevil]

[Horst didn't cry when his brother left, or when nearly all his friends forgot him within a week, or when he died.

He's come close with Merlin just being suddenly gone, but he's managed not to. But this song? He's glad there's no video, but there's the faint sound of sobs if she listens.]

Rachel....

[Voice]

[showchoirstar]

[Normally, Rachel would be ecstatic, to hear someone crying while she sang. That meant she did it right. But for now, it just makes Adstringendum all the more unstable.]

-- I don't remember everything of my stay here, but I can never forget how much I care about all those I met.

He may return with no memories, but he will not forget that.

You shouldn't give up so easily.

[Voice] DAMMIT PR /choked up

[ahandsomedevil]

[He has some amazing friends, and they've certainly kept what would have been a disaster under control. But it's different to hear comfort from someone who only just got back here.]

Thank you.

[He really means that, more than she knows.]

I'm sorry that you had to come back here. But...I'm glad you're here, too.

[Voice] DISCLAIMER: RACHEL CAN BE REALLY FUCKING HEARTBREAKING.

[showchoirstar]

[Rachel would never abandon Kurt and Blaine, here, by themselves, not if she could help it, if she had any choice in the matter. For the time being, this is where she is meant to be, until they can all go home together.

And while she hates it here, while she's terrified of being here, Rachel Berry never backs down from a challenge. And this place is no more scary than facing down one thousand people with nothing but a Barbra Streisand song in your back pocket.]

The thanks are not necessary, nor is the apology.

[Voice] IT'S GOOD FOR ADSTRING.

[ahandsomedevil]

[He nods, though she can't see it, and tells himself if she needs anything he will get it for her, even though she doesn't know that.

He's torn between just cutting the few ties he still has here and sparing his sanity--there's nothing wrong with shallow friendships. These are all temporary anyway. But Rachel makes him pause and think and, to a point, hope that the things here will matter elsewhere.

He's almost incapable of talking about himself for very long, but he doesn't want her to go just yet.]

Do you remember the Glee club here?

[Voice] SHE ISN'T USED TO PEOPLE LIKING HER WITHOUT A MOTIVE. LMAO IT'S WEIRD.

[showchoirstar]

I have a roster and I've been slowly reassembling it.

I remember... that Kurt and I held auditions, in the old schoolhouse -- a girl named Minako tried out. I don't remember what she sang, but I liked her a lot. She's not here, not anymore.