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!

Riku stared at Lightning in disbelief, amazed that she actually punched Zane, but he couldn't look for long. His eyebrows furrowed when his senses picked up on movement behind him, a threat. Zane's outcry gave him away. Riku turned, catching the guy's flying fist. As Zane stared at him with wide eyes, Riku took into account that he was going to be punched in order for Zane to get to Lightning. Like that was happening. Riku lifted his eyes to Zane's face, grinding his teeth together as he brought back his arm and landed a hard punch against the punk's face. Zane stumbled backward, nearly tripping over his own feet. Riku only glared at him, hoping the guy would take the hint. Get out of here. Now.

Edited June 12, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Lightning turned halfway, still standing right by Riku as she watched Zane stumble back. This would have been an opportune moment to strike again, but she had to tell herself again that he wasn't worth it. She got in that one punch, and Riku got in his. They had to stop this before it created a scene and they got in trouble for starting a fight.

Riku watched as Zane stared at him, obviously infuriated. "Don't make the 'Keyblade loser' hit you again," he warned. "Go home." Zane looked like he was about to question that opportunity, but he seemed to catch the drift. If he stayed, he was going to lose.

 

"Don't think this is over, Farron," Zane snapped. He spit out blood near her and Riku's feet before he turned, leaving the area. He was not about to let this slide.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Lightning muttered, though mostly to herself. Zane was an idiot; he wouldn't give up until he redeemed himself from school last year. He had been making fun of her for being orphaned then too, and having no friends. She must have hit his head too hard for him to remember the lesson he was supposed to learn that day.

Riku watched Zane go, but he didn't say a word. His adrenaline was still pumping; it always took a while for it to go away after a confrontation. Having the Keyblade made him realize that. He waited until Zane was gone before he lowered his sight to his hand. He shook it slightly, not used to really hitting people with his fists; he used the Keyblade more than anything else. Riku hit Zane so hard that it hurt.

Lightning didn't look at Riku when he shook out his hand, just assuming that he was fine. He was a warrior after all. She did appreciate him trying to stand up for her, just as long as he didn't do it to be the hero again. She sensed it was more than that though. He's the closest thing to a friend you have, she had thought to herself earlier. Maybe he viewed her as a friend too if he was willing to step in like that. Somehow she felt...comfort. She didn't feel so alone anymore.

Riku turned, looking over at Lightning. "You alright?" he asked lowly, a frown still set on his lips. He couldn't believe he witnessed her and Zane's argument. He heard secrets he shouldn't have, and nearly witnessed Zane attacking Lightning. Just the thought made Riku's blood boil, his heart beating a little faster. Hopefully Zane wouldn't come around again, but by the sounds of it, it wouldn't be long.

Lightning didn't meet his eyes, nor did she move away even if they were still standing in each other's personal space because he was just holding her back and then defending her. "I'm fine," she said quietly. She was just feeling a flurry of emotions. Anger and rage for one, but she also felt a little awkward because Riku knew her secret. And defensive for that same reason. He wouldn't pity her now, would he? She hated pity.

Riku nodded slightly, lifting a hand and placing it on Lightning's shoulder. He gazed at her, admiring her strength. She stood up to that guy, who was much bigger than her, like he was nothing but a child antagonizing her. She was fearless, and that was impressive.

Lightning allowed the hand to sit on her shoulder, though she looked down at her feet. That hand was for standing up to the bully, not because of her parents being dead. She could just tell that touch wasn't one of pity. In fact, Riku seemed...impressed, from what she could tell. Bullies aren't anything to be afraid of when you've seen much worse. Like her parents both dying before she turned sixteen. That was much worse.

Riku gave Lightning's shoulder a gentle squeeze, though his hand fell after a moment. "Impressive," he said lowly. "I knew you were tough, but..." He didn't think she would get that aggressive. He should have known, since she did challenge him multiple times.

"I know how to handle myself," Lightning said calmly, nodding faintly and looking up to Riku's face. She had to in order to stand up for herself in situations like these. She ended up in them far too often for her tastes, but at least Serah never witnessed anything like this happening. She knew Lightning got expelled from their past school by punching Zane, but that was it.

"Glad to hear it," Riku admitted. He didn't want Lightning being defenseless when someone like Zane was around, especially if Riku wasn't there for her. Like he was today. He couldn't explain his behavior. He just knew that he couldn't let Lightning be treated so badly. It infuriated him.

Lightning nodded absently and glanced in the direction that Zane walked off. Next time you come back, I'll definitely be ready. She had only gotten quicker and stronger since their last encounter. And she was as quick witted as ever. That muscle-head didn't stand a chance against her. If he dared speak of her parents again...He'd pay.

Even if Lightning looked away, Riku's eyes were glued to her. He couldn't believe she never mentioned she was an orphan, but then again, who would? He gazed at her silently, though he then spoke his thoughts. "I won't say anything," he vowed. He heard more than he should have, but he wouldn't speak of it to anyone. Her secret was safe with him.

Again, Lightning nodded faintly. But she still didn't look at him. As she spoke, she tried to sound as calm as possible. "Who cares if Serah and I are on our own?" she asked quietly, breeze lightly blowing her pink bangs over her sad eyes. "It doesn't matter. We're fine." She worked a full time job, went to school, and still cooked meals and took care of the house and Serah. She was doing more than the average adult and she was only seventeen. She didn't know whether to be proud or sickened by that.

"You're right," Riku agreed softly. "You are." Lightning was incredibly strong; probably the strongest woman he knew. Yes, woman, not girl; she was mature and wise beyond her years, even if she was seventeen. She did a great job at taking care of Serah, who was happy from what he could see. Lightning was a great older sister.

Was Riku really convinced that they were fine, or was he just humoring Lightning? Because she felt far from fine. She was miserable most of the time. She felt like saying to him that she wasn't really alright, but she stopped herself from showing that type of vulnerability. She supposed things were a lot clearer to Riku now. Why he saw Lightning working all the time when she wasn't in school, and why she wanted to get out of school so badly. She needed to support Serah.

"You're strong. I hope you know that," Riku said, turning toward Lightning a little more. She supported her sister and made her so happy. He could see it just by looking at Serah, who was out having fun right now. Lightning, on the other hand, was dealing with the hardships on her own. A part of Riku wanted to take that away, and he hoped he could somehow. He knew what it was like to take on a lot at the same time, and you suffered.

"As long as Serah has a future," Lightning said quietly, glancing over at Riku but not meeting his eyes. She had a feeling he wouldn't approve of her not caring at all about her own future or happiness, but it didn't matter. When somebody was as cold and alone as she was, they didn't get happy endings. She didn't see how she could ever be happy again.

"She does, but so do you," Riku said, wanting Lightning to look him in the eyes and believe him. But he had a feeling she wouldn't. She seemed too down on herself, but a part of him knew why. "Your parents would be proud of you... I'm sure of it." Her mother and father created a beautiful young woman, and raised her well. She was a great person, even if he barely knew her on a personal level.

Lightning nodded faintly, thinking of her parents. Even if her dad died ten years ago, she had been a lot closer to him than her mom. At this point in her life, she despised her mom for leaving her and Serah with the burden of living on their own. But that was a story for another day, maybe. No, that was one that she would probably keep to herself. Over two years after her mom's death had passed and she was still haunted. She didn't want to be anything like her mom.

Riku tilted his head slightly, but he didn't say a word. Do you believe me? he wanted to ask. Lightning was easy to read at that moment, in that she didn't make eye contact and was vulnerable. He had...never seen her this way. It was disorienting, and he felt himself soften up at the sight.

Like the first day that they met, Lightning could tell that Riku was studying her again. Only now... "Now you know why I'm--"I'm what? A lone wolf, harsh, and never happy. She knew Riku wouldn't want to hear those words. ...He was a friend. She had to realize that now just by the way that he was still standing with her and gazing at her as if she were a human being, not just a recruit for the Corps. And she was a pretty messed up human being at that.

Riku's eyebrows furrowed slightly at the unfinished statement, and he fought the urge to touch her again. If he were in Lightning's place, he wouldn't want to be touched at all, so he held back. "Lonely?" he guessed lowly. He could tell from the first moment he met Lightning that she was alone, even if she did have Serah.