Ingannare Te Stesso
TAGGED: Rachel Berry, Salvador Lazio (npc), Cassandra July (mentioned)
LOCATION: Fortissimo Recording Studio
TIME FRAME: Thursday afternoon, May 15th, 2015
NOTES: Sal checks in on Rachel before her recording session.
Rachel didn’t eat ‘junk food’ often -- her body was both her instrument and her temple, after all, and if she wanted to get the most out of it she had to maintain it at peak efficiency -- but prior to their break up Rachel had developed an appreciation for some of the less objectionable snacks that often came out during her and her ex’s gaming sessions and since the break up, Rachel hadn’t had the opportunity -- or the excuse -- to indulge herself and the craving had slowly grown over the last few weeks until she couldn’t resist it any longer.
Which is why she climbed the five flights of stairs that separated the Fortissimo recording studio from the ground floor rather than taking the elevator as was her custom. And that, in turn, was why she only caught a glimpse of a familiar head of blonde hair and a flash of a smile that had spent far more time occupying her thoughts that Rachel wanted to admit through the closing doors of the elevator as she stepped out of the stairwell.
“Cassie?”
“You just missed her, mi Stella.”
“Sal.” Rachel turned towards the voice just in time to be caught in a bear hug by the elder Italian.
“And how’s my favourite Passerotta?”
“I’d be better if I could breath.”
“HAH!” Sal barked as he released her. “Always with the quick wit, this is why I like you.”
“And here I thought it was my squeeze-ability.”
Another bark of laugher burst from Sal. “That to, mi Bella. Now, tell me how are things. That no good boy come crawling back to you yet?”
Rachel’s grin faded slightly and she ducked her head while fussing with her hair. “He’s not a bad man, Sal... we’re just in different places, that’s all.”
“Pah, he’s an idiota and I still think you should let me send my boys around to smack some sense into him.”
“No.” Rachel lifted her head up, her smile growing thanks more to the playful tone of Sal’s words rather than the words themselves. “If anyone gets to smack him around it will be me, thank you very much.”
“That’s my ragazza.”
Rachel shook her head as she slipped an arm around his and the pair headed towards the sound booth.
“And school, she’s treating you well?”
“Yes Sal, school is treating me very well.”
“Good, good. If not I send my boys around there to smack some sense into your teachers too.”
“You do and I’ll never speak to you again.”
Sal’s pout was as comical as the scowl Rachel gave him in return. With a sigh, Sal held up his free hand in surrender. “H’okay, okay, I’ll be good too. No smacking sense into anyone.”
“Thank you.”
Sal lowered his hand to give the one Rachel had resting on his arm a pat as he looked over his shoulder.
“And things with you and Perdere July, good, yes?”
Rachel looked back over her own shoulder as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. Sam, while still occasionally painful to think about, was something she could deal with without to much trouble and her classes, while occasionally more challenging than she expected, were still more than manageable and she felt confident she could stay on top of them.
Cassandra July on the other hand... she was neither sure how to deal with the blonde nor confidant when she tried. Half the time Rachel couldn’t tell if Cassie was flirting with her or just pushing her buttons to see how Rachel would react and the other half of the time she wasn’t sure which she wanted it to be. And her last session hadn’t been any different from the previous three.
Which wasn’t to say that she wanted anything more than a professional relationship with Cassandra; Rachel wasn’t ready to enter into an intimate relationship with anyone, especially not an older woman who’s motivations were impossible to pin down and her boss to boot.
But...
There was something there, a kind of chemistry. At least on Rachel’s end there was and every time she was around Cassie or thought about Cassie, butterflies filled her stomach and she either overanalyzed every word and gesture from the other woman, or failed to think at all and neither state was particularly helpful let alone enjoyable.
“Is it the work she does, mi Stella? I love her like my own daughter but I knew I should not have introduced you to her. You are too innocent for that sort of thing.”
Rachel turned back to Sal, the first honest frown since her arrival wrinkling her features. “No. It’s fine. I’m fine. Actually I wanted to thank you for introducing us, I find the work to be very... liberating.”
Sal held her gaze for several seconds then gave a short nod. “Good. I am happy for you.”
“Me too.”
Sal came to a stop outside the door to the booth and gave her hand another pat before pulling his arm free. “I leave you to your work, yes? And maybe when you’re done you come find me and I can treat you to a nice espresso; the real thing, not that cheap merda they try to sell you at the Starbucks.”
“I’d like that.” Rachel gave him a small smile before she reached for the doorknob, then turned back.
“Sal?”
He stopped and turned to face her. “Yes, mi Stella.”
“Did, uhm, did Cassie know I was recording today?”
Sal gave a slow shake of his head. “No. She came by to discuss a project she wants me to help her with.”
“Oh. Well, good luck to both of you.”
“And to you.”
“I don’t need luck.” Rachel turned the knob and opened the door, “I’ve got talent.”
The door clicked shut behind her a moment later and Sal watched it for several seconds before turning away to head back to his office.
“Ahh.”
