As some of you may know, Peanut and I are crazy about Roleplaying, and it's clear, since this is the second one on this site that belongs to us. And we aren't even done with the first one! Regardless, that won't stop us from starting this new roleplay, Rude Awakening!

 

Kinda dark and mysterious title, eh?

 

As stated in the title, this RP is one on one, no exceptions. Please refrain from posting in the RP. Instead, follow us on this new journey!

 

Peanut, my amazing friend, let's begin!

Just like with his motorcycle back home, Riku glanced over his shoulder to give Lightning some advice. "Hold on tight," he told her. He was going to see what this Glider could do. When he faced forward again, he forced the Glider forward and then up toward the sky, heading to the portal. This was their way out, and how they would get around from now on. This was one of the few good things that happened lately, and Riku was grateful for it.

Lightning had a chance to wrap her arms around Riku's torso tightly before he took off, and that hold only tightened when he went almost directly upward. How was he not shaken by this at all?! He was accepting it so naturally, and she wasn't. This was just more proof to her that her father had been right. She was pathetic and weak.

Riku took the Glider straight into the portal, and that was when he realized they were in the Lanes Between. He could see worlds in the distance as he flew his Glider, though he didn't know where exactly they would go. He had to get Lightning to safety, even if Master Yen Sid had other plans in mind. Getting her out of harm's way was Riku's number one goal.

Though Lightning was curious about this place around her, she didn't look around. This was all too much to take in! Way, way too much. She leaned her forehead against Riku's shoulder while her arms remained around him, her eyes closing. She wasn't sure what she needed, but this most certainly wasn't helping.

Riku knew the general outline of the worlds, so even if Master Yen Sid told them that Disney Castle was no longer safe, he headed in that direction anyway. Disney Castle was the safest place he knew, even if Maleficent had somehow gotten inside it. Riku saw the King when he woke up and proclaimed a Master, so surely things were okay again. It was Riku's best bet, and the only place where Lightning could be safe.

Lightning remained in the same position for the rest of the ride, silently hoping that her weight against Riku wasn't hurting him. He acted fine since he had the potion, but she still wanted to be certain that he wasn't hurting. Even as she sensed the air change, she kept her eyes shut behind her helmet. She couldn't take in any more today. She needed a place to process all that already occurred.

Riku lowered his Glider toward the castle, landing just outside it. He noticed that Lightning wasn't letting go once he was steady, and he lifted a gloved hand to place over one of hers. "Light," he said softly. She needed to get off the Glider, so then they could go inside and see the King. Riku was sure he would take them in, at least for the rest of the day and the night. They had to recover their energy from all they just went through.

Lightning knew that she was supposed to get off now, but she couldn't force herself to do it. She didn't want to let go of what was keeping her together. "I'm sorry," she said pathetically. She felt like such a burden to Riku right now, being dragged along for the ride like this. He must have thought she was so weak right now...

Riku closed his eyes at the words, releasing a small breath. "We'll talk once we get inside," he told her softly. Now wasn't the time for apologies or discussing their problems. They had to see the King first, and then they could take a vacant room or two in the castle to rest and talk.

Lightning furrowed her eyebrows. Those were the last words that she needed to hear right now. But since they didn't encourage her to hold onto Riku anymore, she finally pulled herself away from him and rose off the Glider. She faced away from him, but if she asked, she'd use the excuse of looking at the world. It was partially true, after all. It was so...green.

Riku hopped off his Glider as well, standing next to Lightning as the Glider disappeared from existence. He thought of his armor doing the same, blinking when it actually followed his will. It disappeared in blue specks of light, letting him see the world in all its glory. Green and pure, not a sign of Darkness in sight. Riku found himself smiling, something that surprised him. But he decided to go forward anyway, placing a hand on Lightning's armor as he started toward the castle doors. The guards should have recognized him, since he'd been here before. They wouldn't have any trouble getting in to see the King.

Lightning glanced at Riku as he walked by, blinking when she saw that his armor was now gone but hers remained. How do I...Oh. As Lightning looked around for some way to get rid of it, it faded away all on its own. She started after Riku immediately walking a few quick steps so that she was by his side. Of course her expression was hard and guarded as she looked ahead. Nobody else was going to get inside her head today.

Edited October 4, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku didn't have any trouble once he approached the guards; they greeted him with smiles and let him inside. Once he and Lightning were inside, Riku started through the halls toward the King's study, where they could speak to him privately and let them know what was going on outside this world. Surely he would want to know.

Several hours later, night fell over King Mickey's Kingdom. Lightning had been on her own for some time; Riku was privately speaking to King Mickey about Keyblade stuff or something. At least before they got in depth with that, there was a room that was dedicated to Riku and Lightning for the night. She was outside of that room now, sitting on the balcony with her legs pulled up to her chest and arms around them. Hours of reflection only made things worse. Her role model was alive and evil. He hurt her, which was something she never would have expected from him. Nor the fact that he murdered her mother. How could he...?

Riku entered the room he would share with Lightning for the night, exhausted from speaking with the King and all that had occurred beforehand. A few lamps in the room were on, but there was no sign of Lightning. When he looked to the balcony, he found her. Starting toward her in silence, Riku looked her over. Just by her posture he could tell that she was unhappy, which was something he never wanted to see. But what could he do to fix it now, when things were already so difficult?

Lightning leaned her cheek against her knees, feeling moisture go into her jeans. She had been crying. It was a blank realization, because she had done so much crying in the past day that it was almost natural for her to cry now. Even now, the tears were sliding down her cheeks and being shown by the moonlight reflecting off her face. It made her look pale like she had earlier, and younger. Like a lost child.

Riku stopped in the doorway, eyes soft as they landed on Lightning. She looked...different, in her tattered jeans, boots, and tank top. But what was normal was that she was wearing the necklace he got her. That let him know that she hadn't changed completely. "Hey..." he called softly. Riku didn't want to scare her. Actually, he didn't want to have any kind of negative effect on her. He just wanted her to feel safe.

Light's eyes only grew slightly as she heard Riku's voice. She automatically lifted a hand to her cheek and wiped at the moisture, only turning around to look at Riku once she was sure that it was gone. He looked even more exhausted than he had earlier, and that was saying something. He should have been in bed, not here with her.

Riku's eyebrows furrowed slightly when Lightning took a second to turn around. He knew she was wiping at her cheeks, which meant she was crying... He wouldn't ask if she was okay. It was obvious that she wasn't. The question would only be a waste of his breath.

When Riku was silent, Lightning decided to find her voice and speak first. "You should be in bed," she declared quietly. He had an exhausting day. When was the last time that he even slept? He may have dozed off on the train, but that clearly didn't do much for him. Riku needed to sleep, not face her demons with her. She didn't want to be alone, but she wanted him to be alright. He was more important than she was.

"You too," Riku said in response. He knew that Lightning was concerned for his well-being, but he was the same way with her. He was stronger than her for the most part, so if he needed rest, then she definitely did as well.

Lightning shook her head softly, turning a little bit as she looked back up at the moon. "Go ahead," she said quietly. He could go to bed; she'd come in eventually. She wasn't sure if she could even sleep right now. The exhaustion was present, but so was the turmoil to keep her awake. She didn't know which force would win.

Riku sighed, frowning instantly when Lightning turned away from him again. "Would you stop it?" he asked then, his tone holding bite. He was tired and aggravated; the last thing he needed was for Lightning to shut him out. He just wanted her to be able to talk to him, and for him to feel like he could do the same. But...ever since Cedric took her, and Jihl hurt Riku, they weren't the same. At least around each other.

Lightning jumped at Riku's tone, remembering what happened when she offered him a potion earlier. He yelled at her, just because she put him before herself. Just like she was doing now. What did he want from her though? She was just trying to help... She looked over at him with hurt eyes, biting down on her lip to hide its quivering. As long as she had a say in it, she wouldn't be sobbing again now.

"Stop shutting me out," Riku said, his tone softer due to the look on Lightning's face. He was...scaring her? Was that...possible? Riku knew that he could be intimidating; he'd been told as much before. But...scary? Especially to Lightning... That wasn't what he wanted to be.