Persistent Echo

Greets!

I've got two questions regarding Persistent Echo:

1, PE always burns even if an action card on it was blocked?

2, Does burning it to play a card count as regularly playing the card? I mean can you play Choir for example, unlock, then burn PE to play Choir on it?

Thanks in advance!

pm.: no twd with Persistent Echo, I'm trying my best to elevate the card a bit xD

Name: Persistent Echo
[LoB:R, POD:DTC]
Cardtype: Action
Cost: 1 blood
Discipline: Melpominee/Auspex
+1 stealth action.
[aus] Unlock a vampire with Melpominee [mel].
[mel] Put this card in play with one card requiring Melpominee from your hand on it, face down and out of play (you can look at the card at any time). A vampire you control can burn this card to play the card on it as if from your hand and as if they had basic Melpominee.
[MEL] As [mel] above, and the vampire can play the card as if they had superior Melpominee.
Artist: Abrar Ajmal

1. You burn PE to play the action card, way before action resolution of that card.
2. Yes, it counts as playing the card normally. "Burn to play" means you play it.