Glee | Me & My Shadow & Our Devotion | Figgins & Rachel (7 of 7)
Started my daily ficlets to make the hiatus pass, then decided to keep going with a 2nd cycle, and then a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th cycle. Now cycle 12!
Yes, another hiatus is upon us! I'm working to plan out those summer cycles, so if you have things you would like to see get written, pleeease drop by the suggestion box. The link is further down!
This is another 7-chapter story! :D Chapter 7 of 7
"ME & MY SHADOW & OUR DEVOTION"
Figgins & Rachel
This was by no means the first time this had come to happen at McKinley, and as much of a front as he was able to put with his staff, Principal Figgins was the first in line in despising the timing of both the assignment and the review. Behind closed doors, he was a nervous wreck. He knew exactly the kind of problems existed in his school, as created by the oddball faculty he’d somehow managed to assemble. As terrifying of a concept as it could be, he still had to simply… allow both events to wash in all at once, hoping that somehow McKinley would still be standing after.
He had no idea who they would make to shadow him; here again he had no choice… he could only take whatever came at him. In previous years he had found that being paired with him would be received a number of different ways. Some felt suddenly they were ‘close to power’ and got excited. Others looked terrified, and he imagined spending so much time in the principal’s office was playing with their minds… But this year would be a whole other experience.
On Monday morning, Mr. Nussbaum’s request was filled. As he’d told the principal, the teacher had received his own share of visits from Sue Sylvester regarding her part in the assignment. So Figgins had offered to ‘unite’ the pair himself, knowing she would no doubt make another visit on that morning. He’d called in Noah Puckerman, informing him of his pairing. When Sue had then shown up, he’d sent the pair on its merry way and sat back to await his own shadow.
“Principal Figgins,” came the familiar voice that usually made him groan internally, having long associated it with ‘trouble on the rise.’
“Miss Berry,” he looked to the girl who’d just walked in, an open notebook and pen in hand… She was ready… for more than he realized.
Days ago, Rachel hadn’t seen the true potential of the assignment. She’d mentioned it to Mr. Schuester, and he’d told her how he’d gotten to find the advantage. As it’d turn out, they had another thing in common: she had also been paired to the principal. The ‘advantage’ had not taken long to show itself. If she was going to be with Figgins for a week, with little to no outside intrusions, then she had to use this time to show Figgins how important Glee Club was, and how he should support it more than he currently was. She hadn’t yet figured out her ‘in’ just yet, but once she got there, she’d know it, and she’d be ready to give Principal Figgins ‘the Glee Experience.’
“Good morning, Sir,” she gave him her best ‘winning’ smile. “I’m ready to shadow you,” she nodded. He pointed to a chair, and she quickly took the seat as assigned. He watched her for a moment before getting back to work.
Rachel would observe not only him, but the office. There had to be some personal touch that would give her direction… She just had to find it.
There wasn’t a lot to go on, not in any way that could help her, really. Encyclopaedias, glass paper weights, little figures of animals, a school bell… She doubted he’d be amused if she played with that. She spotted some pictures on a cabinet by the window. Before she let herself question the thought too much, she got up from her chair and moved to take a closer look. She looked at one of them and smiled. “Is this your mother?”
“Yes,” came the principal’s voice. Even with her back turned, she knew he’d been watching her go since she’d gotten up to go at the pictures.
“She’s pretty,” Rachel smiled.
“She was…” Rachel turned back to him, with eyes that managed to do what she’d hoped they would: get him to open up further. “My father gave me a sense of… the importance of good work,” he nodded and, as his mind slipped toward the second half of his sentence, Rachel could see the smallest bit of a relaxation in his face… Yes, now she was nearing her ‘in.’ But then he snapped out of it, clearing his throat and sitting up straight. Rachel wasn’t going to let go, not when she was this close.
“Principal Figgins, I realize this assignment is about my learning from what you do, but I also believe you would benefit from learning from what I do. Not as a student, that is, but as a member of McKinley’s Sectional-winning Glee Club. I’m talking about… the Glee Experience. The way I see it, understanding a bit more of who we are would benefit you as the head of this establishment. I assure you this would remain strictly between us. And before you answer, I would like to ask you consider again what it is, even if you wouldn’t say, that your mother gave you.”
The office was left silent for a moment, save for the sound of Rachel slowly catching her breath. Figgins, for his part, sat dazed like he’d been hit by a tornado. He once again indicated the chair, and Rachel’s face fixed into a frown as she obliged him. But then, and he’d debate for quite a while what it was that possessed him to do it, he looked to her and cautiously said, “Alright. Just what exactly is it I’ll be doing?” Her face lit up once more.
She didn’t get to tell him just yet, as his duties as principal required him to actually work. It was perfect for Rachel though. She sat quietly scribbling in her notebook, not saying one word… Maybe that was part of the benefits of having said yes. Even as he had to attend to certain tasks outside of his office, Rachel trailed behind, still writing. One side of the page would be notes in regards to ‘the Glee Experience’ while the other kept notes on shadowing the principal. He wasn’t sure when the silence would be brought to an end, but he would enjoy it while he could.
The silence was brought to an end the next morning, as he arrived to find his shadow already sitting outside his office, waiting for him. She carried a bag with her, but what drew his attention was the hat on her head - which he had a sneaking suspicion was for him - and the man sitting at her side, carrying a small portable keyboard, Brad the pianist. When she saw the principal, Rachel stood. “Good morning, Sir.” He opened the door, motioning for them to get in.
“The wall is made of glass, clear glass,” he pointed out to her.
“Once everyone is in class, that shouldn’t be a problem, should it?” she asked with an innocent shrug. He frowned, more so when she pulled out some papers from her folder and handed them to him. He had a ‘what on earth is this?’ look about him, and she carried on. “It’s your song. I thought hard about what would be the perfect thing for you.” He looked at the sheets. “I’ve already started on my shadow assignment, and how I’ve found our principal has a quality about him, to look after the interest of his students with a… personal approach,” she nodded. He looked at her, looked at Brad who gave a shrug. There was the review. Maybe that was part of why he’d said yes, too… Either that or Rachel Berry was an excellent manipulator.
“How did you know I like this song?” he asked, as she’d moved to get the bag she’d brought along. She opened it and pulled out neatly folded clothes, which she handed to him, pulling the hat off her head and depositing it on the clothes. He took a look at them and again was left baffled. “How did… the size is right.”
“You don’t have to put them on yet. Actually, we don’t have time, so…” she looked to Brad, who was getting ready. Rachel turned back to the principal with a smile. “Ready?”
With much hesitation on the principal’s part, they had begun. Rachel had coached him through the vocals through morning, then attempted footwork in the afternoon. There were interruptions on repeated occasions, as Figgins of course still had his job to do. There was also the issue, as previously pointed out, that the wall was one big window, which left them open to stares and pointed fingers. Rachel tried to keep the principal with his back to the window wall side as much as possible.
Figgins was able to get back to work later, as Rachel would attend to her continuing shadow assignment notes. When she left though, she suggested the next day should involve their number with all parts in place. Vocals, choreography, costume…
When she - and Brad - was gone, Figgins was able to sit back, tired off of his day. He didn’t get to think on it much, stuck in the whirlwind that was Hurricane Berry, but it wasn’t all as terrible as he would have envisioned. He was not the most polished at singing and dancing, but at the end of the day he had improved and that was… a good feeling. It was all a bit of hectic work, madness, but it did bring a joy to him… glee…
So the next morning as he’d arrived in his office, he looked to the piled costume, still sitting on one of the chairs. He looked around… Maybe he could just put it on now, do the quick run through when Rachel arrived, then change back… yes…
He changed in the faculty bathroom, returning to his office. He pulled out the mirror he kept in his bottom drawer, putting on the hat as he observed…
“What is going on?” he looked back… There was the inspector. Figgins put down the mirror, taking off the hat.
“Welcome to McKinley…” he started, just as Rachel arrived. “Ah, Miss Berry, this is going to have to wait, I’m afraid. This is an inspector; she’s come to review the staff…” he nodded politely.
He hadn’t anticipated the day he would be thankful for Rachel Berry, but there it was, as she worked the same magic on the inspector as she had on him. She continued speaking to the woman while Figgins went to change back. She put in words for Figgins, and for others as well… even Coach Sylvester… She didn’t play the dirty card she could have.
After the inspector had left, the air seemed to have changed in the halls. The faculty was more relaxed, even if they still had to deal with their shadows. In the end, the madness had been good for… most of them.
THE END
* IN CONSTRUCTION! *
PREVIOUS DAYS
[Cycle 1] [Cycle 2] [Cycle 3] [Cycle 4]
[Cycle 5] [Cycle 6] [Cycle 7] [Cycle 8]
[Cycle 9] [Cycle 10] [Cycle 11]
[Cycle 12]
[232] [233] [234] [235] [236]
[237] [238] [239] [240] [241]
[242] [243] [244] [245]
[ [246] [247] [248] [249] [250] [251]]
Suggestion Drop Off
Title: "Me & My Shadow & Our Devotion"
Pairing: None; Figgins & Rachel
Rating: G
Summary: It's chaos at McKinley, for one day with the faculty and an assignment...
Spoilers: 117 Bad Reputation-ish
Yes, another hiatus is upon us! I'm working to plan out those summer cycles, so if you have things you would like to see get written, pleeease drop by the suggestion box. The link is further down!
This is another 7-chapter story! :D Chapter 7 of 7
"ME & MY SHADOW & OUR DEVOTION"
Figgins & Rachel
This was by no means the first time this had come to happen at McKinley, and as much of a front as he was able to put with his staff, Principal Figgins was the first in line in despising the timing of both the assignment and the review. Behind closed doors, he was a nervous wreck. He knew exactly the kind of problems existed in his school, as created by the oddball faculty he’d somehow managed to assemble. As terrifying of a concept as it could be, he still had to simply… allow both events to wash in all at once, hoping that somehow McKinley would still be standing after.
He had no idea who they would make to shadow him; here again he had no choice… he could only take whatever came at him. In previous years he had found that being paired with him would be received a number of different ways. Some felt suddenly they were ‘close to power’ and got excited. Others looked terrified, and he imagined spending so much time in the principal’s office was playing with their minds… But this year would be a whole other experience.
On Monday morning, Mr. Nussbaum’s request was filled. As he’d told the principal, the teacher had received his own share of visits from Sue Sylvester regarding her part in the assignment. So Figgins had offered to ‘unite’ the pair himself, knowing she would no doubt make another visit on that morning. He’d called in Noah Puckerman, informing him of his pairing. When Sue had then shown up, he’d sent the pair on its merry way and sat back to await his own shadow.
“Principal Figgins,” came the familiar voice that usually made him groan internally, having long associated it with ‘trouble on the rise.’
“Miss Berry,” he looked to the girl who’d just walked in, an open notebook and pen in hand… She was ready… for more than he realized.
Days ago, Rachel hadn’t seen the true potential of the assignment. She’d mentioned it to Mr. Schuester, and he’d told her how he’d gotten to find the advantage. As it’d turn out, they had another thing in common: she had also been paired to the principal. The ‘advantage’ had not taken long to show itself. If she was going to be with Figgins for a week, with little to no outside intrusions, then she had to use this time to show Figgins how important Glee Club was, and how he should support it more than he currently was. She hadn’t yet figured out her ‘in’ just yet, but once she got there, she’d know it, and she’d be ready to give Principal Figgins ‘the Glee Experience.’
“Good morning, Sir,” she gave him her best ‘winning’ smile. “I’m ready to shadow you,” she nodded. He pointed to a chair, and she quickly took the seat as assigned. He watched her for a moment before getting back to work.
Rachel would observe not only him, but the office. There had to be some personal touch that would give her direction… She just had to find it.
There wasn’t a lot to go on, not in any way that could help her, really. Encyclopaedias, glass paper weights, little figures of animals, a school bell… She doubted he’d be amused if she played with that. She spotted some pictures on a cabinet by the window. Before she let herself question the thought too much, she got up from her chair and moved to take a closer look. She looked at one of them and smiled. “Is this your mother?”
“Yes,” came the principal’s voice. Even with her back turned, she knew he’d been watching her go since she’d gotten up to go at the pictures.
“She’s pretty,” Rachel smiled.
“She was…” Rachel turned back to him, with eyes that managed to do what she’d hoped they would: get him to open up further. “My father gave me a sense of… the importance of good work,” he nodded and, as his mind slipped toward the second half of his sentence, Rachel could see the smallest bit of a relaxation in his face… Yes, now she was nearing her ‘in.’ But then he snapped out of it, clearing his throat and sitting up straight. Rachel wasn’t going to let go, not when she was this close.
“Principal Figgins, I realize this assignment is about my learning from what you do, but I also believe you would benefit from learning from what I do. Not as a student, that is, but as a member of McKinley’s Sectional-winning Glee Club. I’m talking about… the Glee Experience. The way I see it, understanding a bit more of who we are would benefit you as the head of this establishment. I assure you this would remain strictly between us. And before you answer, I would like to ask you consider again what it is, even if you wouldn’t say, that your mother gave you.”
The office was left silent for a moment, save for the sound of Rachel slowly catching her breath. Figgins, for his part, sat dazed like he’d been hit by a tornado. He once again indicated the chair, and Rachel’s face fixed into a frown as she obliged him. But then, and he’d debate for quite a while what it was that possessed him to do it, he looked to her and cautiously said, “Alright. Just what exactly is it I’ll be doing?” Her face lit up once more.
She didn’t get to tell him just yet, as his duties as principal required him to actually work. It was perfect for Rachel though. She sat quietly scribbling in her notebook, not saying one word… Maybe that was part of the benefits of having said yes. Even as he had to attend to certain tasks outside of his office, Rachel trailed behind, still writing. One side of the page would be notes in regards to ‘the Glee Experience’ while the other kept notes on shadowing the principal. He wasn’t sure when the silence would be brought to an end, but he would enjoy it while he could.
The silence was brought to an end the next morning, as he arrived to find his shadow already sitting outside his office, waiting for him. She carried a bag with her, but what drew his attention was the hat on her head - which he had a sneaking suspicion was for him - and the man sitting at her side, carrying a small portable keyboard, Brad the pianist. When she saw the principal, Rachel stood. “Good morning, Sir.” He opened the door, motioning for them to get in.
“The wall is made of glass, clear glass,” he pointed out to her.
“Once everyone is in class, that shouldn’t be a problem, should it?” she asked with an innocent shrug. He frowned, more so when she pulled out some papers from her folder and handed them to him. He had a ‘what on earth is this?’ look about him, and she carried on. “It’s your song. I thought hard about what would be the perfect thing for you.” He looked at the sheets. “I’ve already started on my shadow assignment, and how I’ve found our principal has a quality about him, to look after the interest of his students with a… personal approach,” she nodded. He looked at her, looked at Brad who gave a shrug. There was the review. Maybe that was part of why he’d said yes, too… Either that or Rachel Berry was an excellent manipulator.
“How did you know I like this song?” he asked, as she’d moved to get the bag she’d brought along. She opened it and pulled out neatly folded clothes, which she handed to him, pulling the hat off her head and depositing it on the clothes. He took a look at them and again was left baffled. “How did… the size is right.”
“You don’t have to put them on yet. Actually, we don’t have time, so…” she looked to Brad, who was getting ready. Rachel turned back to the principal with a smile. “Ready?”
With much hesitation on the principal’s part, they had begun. Rachel had coached him through the vocals through morning, then attempted footwork in the afternoon. There were interruptions on repeated occasions, as Figgins of course still had his job to do. There was also the issue, as previously pointed out, that the wall was one big window, which left them open to stares and pointed fingers. Rachel tried to keep the principal with his back to the window wall side as much as possible.
Figgins was able to get back to work later, as Rachel would attend to her continuing shadow assignment notes. When she left though, she suggested the next day should involve their number with all parts in place. Vocals, choreography, costume…
When she - and Brad - was gone, Figgins was able to sit back, tired off of his day. He didn’t get to think on it much, stuck in the whirlwind that was Hurricane Berry, but it wasn’t all as terrible as he would have envisioned. He was not the most polished at singing and dancing, but at the end of the day he had improved and that was… a good feeling. It was all a bit of hectic work, madness, but it did bring a joy to him… glee…
So the next morning as he’d arrived in his office, he looked to the piled costume, still sitting on one of the chairs. He looked around… Maybe he could just put it on now, do the quick run through when Rachel arrived, then change back… yes…
He changed in the faculty bathroom, returning to his office. He pulled out the mirror he kept in his bottom drawer, putting on the hat as he observed…
“What is going on?” he looked back… There was the inspector. Figgins put down the mirror, taking off the hat.
“Welcome to McKinley…” he started, just as Rachel arrived. “Ah, Miss Berry, this is going to have to wait, I’m afraid. This is an inspector; she’s come to review the staff…” he nodded politely.
He hadn’t anticipated the day he would be thankful for Rachel Berry, but there it was, as she worked the same magic on the inspector as she had on him. She continued speaking to the woman while Figgins went to change back. She put in words for Figgins, and for others as well… even Coach Sylvester… She didn’t play the dirty card she could have.
After the inspector had left, the air seemed to have changed in the halls. The faculty was more relaxed, even if they still had to deal with their shadows. In the end, the madness had been good for… most of them.
THE END
* IN CONSTRUCTION! *
PREVIOUS DAYS
[Cycle 1] [Cycle 2] [Cycle 3] [Cycle 4]
[Cycle 5] [Cycle 6] [Cycle 7] [Cycle 8]
[Cycle 9] [Cycle 10] [Cycle 11]
[Cycle 12]
[232] [233] [234] [235] [236]
[237] [238] [239] [240] [241]
[242] [243] [244] [245]
[ [246] [247] [248] [249] [250] [251]]
Suggestion Drop Off
Title: "Me & My Shadow & Our Devotion"
Pairing: None; Figgins & Rachel
Rating: G
Summary: It's chaos at McKinley, for one day with the faculty and an assignment...
Spoilers: 117 Bad Reputation-ish