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!

"I was going to say aloof," Lightning lied. But the truth was, she was pretty lonely. She bore the burden of their lives by herself without letting anyone help. That was how it was now and how it was going to be for a long time still. Serah wouldn't be allowed to help and Lightning wouldn't accept charity from others. Her father taught her to work for everything she had, and so she would do just that.

"Oh," Riku replied softly. He guessed that was true as well; Lightning was pretty distant. He barely got close to her, if this was close to her at all. Regardless, he stood his ground, not leaving until Lightning was okay. What just happened clearly shook her up, but not in fear.

Lightning looked up and met Riku's eyes after a second or two of silence, curious. What had he been doing here in the first place? And why was he sticking around now? Maybe she didn't just consider him a friend; perhaps he considered her one as well. But how could he when she wouldn't let anybody close? Even this was closer than she let most people. Nobody wanted to be friends with somebody like her. Distant and cold.

I'm not leaving until you're okay, Riku thought, sure the message transfered through his gaze. His eyes were locked on Lightning's pale blue, seeing that she had up her defenses. He wasn't looking to tear them down, or be let in. He just wanted her to know--despite the fact that it never really came off much--that he did care. Riku was just one of those people that had a hard exterior, much like Lightning did.

Lightning saw that look, one that was gentle but still made her feel defensive. She didn't like that he saw she was still upset Zane brought up her parents. Nevertheless-- "I'm fine," she said with her defenses up. She did appreciate that Riku was kind enough to do all that he did tonight, but he didn't want to get a deeper connection with her because of those events. He would only be disappointed.

Riku tilted his head slightly, lifting an eyebrow. "...You're sure?" he checked. If not, he wasn't going to take her to Serah. He was sure the younger sibling could see right through Lightning. If Lightning was lying, then Serah's trick-or-treating would be ruined. He didn't want that, and he was sure Lightning wouldn't either.

You're suspicious. Why am I not surprised...? Lightning nodded faintly to the question. "Yeah. If you think that muscle-head bully is going to frighten me, you're mistaken." She wasn't intimidated by him at all, or by anybody...Except Riku a little. The only reason he intimidated her was because he was trying to study her emotions and threaten to break down the walls that she had up. Just by being here right now, that was what he was doing.

Riku smirked, releasing a small "hmph." Frightened? "I seriously doubt you're scared of him, given how you slugged him," he reasoned. Lightning appeared pretty fearless, and he was sure it was true. But everyone was afraid of something; Riku just wouldn't get that far into things today. "Nice work, by the way."

"Thanks," Lightning said as her lips began to turn up in a light smirk. "Though I wish I could have knocked him out like I did last time I slugged him. Zane's got a big mouth." And a big ego, and big muscles. None of that scared her though. All the other girls on this Island would have been intimidated, but not her.

Riku crossed his arms, his smirk remaining. "Have you met Sora?" he asked. Zane had a big mouth in a negative way, but Sora had a big mouth of his own. He talked...a lot. Sometimes Riku couldn't get him to be quiet.

"At least he doesn't blab people's big secrets," Lightning quipped, not speaking too bitterly because she didn't want the conversation going back to Zane. She knew he would be back someday soon though, and probably when she was alone. But she'd be ready for him. It'd probably get physical.

Riku nodded slightly. "Let's hope it never comes to that," he said, looking over Lightning and to the water. He had serious doubts in Sora ever doing something so awful. Besides, if he did, Kairi would probably kick his rear into gear. "Anyway," Riku continued, looking back to the girl before him, "Serah sent me here to get you. She'd like you to join her trick-or-treating."

Lightning frowned, shifting her gaze to the water. She had been hoping Serah would be having too much fun with Noel and the others to think of her, but apparently she was too important. After what just happened here though, she really didn't want to go. If anything, she wanted to go to a gym and punch out some anger. She wondered...would Riku let her in the Guardian Corps gym, to let out some steam?

"I...take that as a no," Riku assumed, his eyes set on Lightning's expression. Apparently being with Serah didn't sound like such a good idea right now, and a part of him agreed with that. Serah would probably sense something was wrong anyway; she seemed like the kind of person to have that ability.

"It's a 'no'," Lightning confirmed with a small nod. She looked back at Riku, deciding that she could be blunt and ask for a favor. "But I do have a request." If he had to stay at the gym with her because he was responsible for it, she didn't care, but if he didn't want to be there, she wouldn't be a burden. She'd just go home and try to cool down another way.

Riku lifted his eyebrows, silently encouraging Lightning to continue. What request could she possibly have for him? Not to tell Serah about what just happened? Because that was obvious; he wasn't going to tell anyone.

"Can I use the Guardian Corps gym?" Lightning asked. Just tonight, not any time that she felt the urge to work out. There was a gym in the downstairs of the apartment building but there were often other people there and tonight she wanted a little bit of privacy. Even if Riku stuck with her, that was more privacy than she would have gotten otherwise.

Riku blinked at the request, not expecting that at all. "Uh, well..." he started, his arms falling to his sides. "I'm the only one with a key." He lifted a hand and rubbed at his silver hair, glancing to the side. He knew Lightning, but he didn't trust anyone but Sora or Kairi to take the key and get in the gym. It was just who he was.

Lightning nodded faintly in understanding. "If you have somewhere else to be and can't monitor me at the gym, it's fine," she said. She had just hoped that she could let out some frustration, but it seemed like that wasn't going to happen at the gym. She'd just pace her living room for a few hours and then crash, she supposed.

Riku lowered his hand, shrugging. "I'll go with you," he said. "Trick-or-treating isn't exactly my thing anymore." It hadn't been since he was eleven, and it was going to stay that way. He was sure Serah knew Lightning wasn't coming by now, anyway.

"Okay," Lightning said with a small nod. She didn't bother asking Riku if he was sure; he wouldn't have made the comittment to join her if he wasn't positive on what he wanted to do. Somehow she wasn't surprised that he wasn't into trick-or-treating; he was nineteen after all, and a warrior. He didn't seem like the type who would have fun at that activity.

Riku smiled ever so slightly, gazing at Lightning for a second longer before turning. He knew she would follow, so he led the way off the beach and toward the gym. Lightning could work out, while he handled some other business.

Lightning followed, not bothering to say anything for a minute or two. There wasn't much to say, really. Tonight she had to confess that Riku was a friend, but...But she wasn't a good friend to people. She hoped he didn't expect too much out of her; he'd only be disappointed at just how cold and distant she was.

The next day

 

Kairi smiled, picking at her lunch with her fork. "Namine, I can't wait until you get married someday," she said, glancing at her friend. The blonde already appeared to be blushing at the mention. "You're going to love it. It's so wonderful." Sora was such a great guy, and a terrific husband. The rest of her life was going to be amazing thanks to him.

 

Namine tucked some of her blonde hair behind her ear, smiling shyly. "Well, I wouldn't say that'll be happening anytime soon," she admitted, thinking logically. She noticed Kairi's confused look. "School. I need to focus on my grades first. Boys come second."

Roxas was eating lunch at a table by himself, with a piece of paper in front of him and a pen in his hand. He had been working on his music a lot lately, which made him notice that his lyrics weren't so dark anymore. He had to admit...Talking to Namine helped things. She thought his music was good. And the encouragement to his music meant that he was encouraged as well. Finally, he felt like something more than just Sora's Nobody. He felt like a Somebody. His ears perked up when he heard a conversation, and a familiar name. He glanced up and saw a booth across from him with two girls in it. Namine and Kairi.