Penny was slightly relieved that the chick was not, in fact, prettier than her. But she was far more talented. After the 27-year old saw the "Regionals" video after the sectionals one, she was jealous. Not only did this Rachel girl get to sing in front of an audience, she got to do it with her possible boyfriend.
Kurt interested Penny though. His odd sense of style and nervous laugh made her think that maybe he was, y'know, ding-a-ling-a-ling. Raj stayed quiet, speaking through Howard, as always. Leonard seemed to be interested in Rachel, not from a romantic view, but from a she's-slightly-conceited view. And they all were crammed into a booth at the local coffee shop.
"So, Rachel, based on your current looks, I'm guessing that your mother is, blessed, in her looks?" Howard asked, being his usual self.
"I have two gay dads. My mother…I don't want to talk about it," Rachel said.
"What about you, Kurt?"
"Died when I was eight," Kurt said bluntly. Penny flinched.
"Excuse me, but while you are invading these two with personal questions, I am trying to conduct research here," Sheldon said. "For instance, Rachel, Kurt, how often do you practice your vocalizing a day?" he asked.
"Three hours a day," Rachel and Kurt said at the same time.
"Isn't that a little much?" Leonard asked. Raj whispered something to Howard and he laughed. Rachel thought it was weird that the Indian scientist never spoke around girls. Perhaps Wolowitz and him were gay? Rachel asked Kurt this, him being the only normal(if you can count Kurt as normal) person around. Kurt laughed.
"Oh, Rachel. I don't think so. Maybe you're just intimidating," Kurt whispered back.
"And are you pursuing a career in singing?" Sheldon asked.
"Yes, Broadway," Kurt and Rachel said together…again. Kurt shuddered at the thought that him and the pompous glee queen would have anything in common with him.
"What, are you two just singing robots?" Leonard cracked. Kurt glared, deciding he didn't like Leonard that much. His hair was in desperate need of smoothing conditioner.
"Leonard, be nice," Penny said. Rachel liked Penny. She was pretty, and she wanted to be in the arts too.
"Sheldon, can you pass the salt?" Leonard asked. Sheldon subtly smiled and passed Leonard the pepper shaker.
"Here, Leonard."
Leonard raised an eyebrow. "Sheldon, this is pepper. I asked for salt."
Sheldon chuckled, shaking his head. "You have fallen for one of my many classic pranks."
"Wait for it…" Penny said.
"Bazinga," Sheldon said.
"There we go," Penny said with a sigh. Rachel and Kurt exchanged glances. What had they gotten themselves into?