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's steps slowed as he came up to Lightning, and he stopped next to her, stepping over to be in front of her. Naturally, a hand found her upper arm. "Hey..." he said softly, eyebrows furrowing in concern. She was running away, and for good reason, but still.... It wasn't something he thought he would ever witness.

Lightning turned to the side so that Riku wouldn't see her face. Her hair got in the way of that with how he was standing. He was a friend--fine. He had followed her out because he was concerned--also fine. But seeing her expression right now wasn't fine. She was trying to put her wall back up and he was interfering.

"Lightning," Riku tried again, his other hand lifted to her other arm. She wouldn't look at him, which he could understand, but...he was worried. He felt...protective of her again, which he found fitting yet odd at the same time. How did that work? Regardless, he kept his eyes on her, hoping she was okay enough to talk to him.

Lightning locked her jaw, fighting the urge to scream at Riku and tell him to get back into that theater and leave her alone. But she knew he wouldn't. She glanced over to the side and saw the ladies' room. Maybe she could flee into there, if Riku let her move. She doubted he would allow that either. He did just chase her out of the theater, and she found it unlikely he would want to chase her anywhere else.

Riku's eyebrows furrowed a little more, and he took a small step closer to Lightning, right in front of her now. "Hey, look at me..." he requested, his voice soft with her. He lifted a hand and gently touched her chin, starting to turn her face toward him. He was her friend; he was here for a reason. She had to give him that chance.

Are those really the fingers of a warrior? Lightning thought absently, feeling Riku's fingertips lightly against her jaw. Again she felt like cursing, just because she hated this situation so much. A part of her wanted to give into Riku, but another part of her dominated. She fought alone so long she wasn't willing to accept him so easily. "No," she said, voice quiet as she let him turn her chin. But she didn't look up; she was staring at his chest instead of his eyes.

Edited June 28, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku's fingers lingered on Lightning's jaw, staying there as he gazed at her. Like her, he didn't want people looking him in the eye when he was upset either; that was why he wore the blindfold--his eyes couldn't lie. He stayed silent, just looking at her as the crowd in the hall clapped. Lightning's mother's piece was finished.

Lightning heard the clapping and became more angry. "I hate her," she finally said, voice low. She hated her mother. She hated that her mom suffered with depression for years and wasn't strong enough to overcome it. She hated that the depression was passed onto her. She hated every single thing--every trait and every memory--that connected her to Rose Farron.

Riku didn't say anything, able to hear that declaration. He didn't know the details, and he didn't need to. All he had to see was that Lightning was upset, and that was enough to keep him where he stood. If she needed to vent, he was there.

Lightning lowered her head, that being the first time she admitted it aloud. She did hate her mother. She knew that for a long time, but saying it aloud made it more real. It hurt and healed at the same time, but mostly, it hurt. Her hands down by her sides uncurled from the tight fists they were in, shoulders also going limper. It hurt to hate her own mother, even after everything. Ironically, that made her hate Rose more.

Riku saw the way Lightning's posture weakened, and his next move was natural. He stepped closer, bringing her closer to him at the same time. He wrapped his arms around Lightning, the hand that had lingered on her jaw now at the back of her head as he held her. He wasn't sure why he embraced her. It just felt like something he needed to do.

Lightning's eyes widened at the first instant, but then she realized something. She liked this. She felt safe. For once, she didn't feel alone. After a few seconds, she did lift her arms and gingerly hug Riku back, but it was mostly because she didn't want him letting go of her. The girl, however strong she was, was just a lost seventeen year old girl who felt more alone than anyone should have had to. She turned her head on Riku's shoulder, feeling strength and warmth beneath her cheek.

Riku lowered his chin slightly, looking down at the girl in his arms. She was beautiful; he wasn't dumb enough to miss that. That was why it actually hurt him to see her so upset. She deserved to be happy with all the hard work she did to take care of herself and Serah, but it seemed like she wasn't getting the chance.

Lightning looked across Riku's torso with half-open eyes, though she allowed them to fall shut after a few seconds. Her cheeks were pink, but it wasn't just because of her mom's memory. It was because she was in Riku's arms, and he was holding her in a way that suggested they were more than friends. Honestly, she did have stronger feelings for him than just friendship. She was certain her feelings weren't returned though. She was just a needy kid to him. Or was she?

Riku ran his hand up and down Lightning's back lightly, still looking down at the girl as he held her. He felt...bad. He was the one who invited her here, and now she was upset. How couldn't he feel guilty after that? But...this was the only kind of comfort he could think to provide, and he hoped it was enough.

After a minute, Lightning took her head off Riku's shoulder and looked around. Nobody else was in the hallway. No strangers, and no Serah. Of course she wouldn't have been upset enough to walk out. Serah saw the positives of every situation. She had a feeling that in the morning, Serah would try to convince her about the beauty of the song. But there was no beauty in it. Only death.

Riku followed Lightning's gaze to the hallway, and his embrace loosened a little. They were the only two out here, and he guessed she must have been looking for Serah. Riku supposed Noel was taking care of Serah, though; he seemed very dedicated to her.

Lightning slowly brought back her hands, continuing to stare down the hallway. "Serah's fine," she declared softly, certain of that fact. "She can see happiness even in the worst of things." Serah was an optimist all right, no doubt about that. How her sister put up with Lightning, who was cynical and angry most of the time, was a mystery.

Riku hummed softly. "She's like Sora," he realized then, seeing the similarity. Sora was always so optimistic, even in the worst situations. Serah must have been the same way. Hopefully she was doing okay, like Lightning said.

Lightning nodded faintly, daring to glance up at Riku after a few seconds. After this whole thing, he did have the right to know why she was so upset by the whole thing. He wouldn't be the first person she had to tell, but it would be very different from when she had to tell the police. Did she have the strength to do this now, in this place?

Riku felt Lightning's gaze on him, and he lowered his eyes to hers in silence. His gaze was gentle, something that came natural when he was concerned for someone else's well-being. Lightning was no different. They were friends after all, so it was clear as to why he was so concerned for her. He cared...more than he probably should have at this point.

Another time, Lightning decided. This wasn't the place for them to get into this discussion. She knew she'd chicken out of it if she didn't speak up now, bu this really wasn't the appropriate location. She glanced over to the side and tucked back some of her hair, thinking of the only thing she could think to say. "Sorry."

Riku shrugged a little. "You have a reason to be upset," he told Lightning, his eyes still on her. She didn't really need to apologize. He understood, to an extent. There wasn't much more to it than that.

Yeah, but... Lightning's own thought trailed off. She didn't want to be hard on herself right now, in front of Riku. He wouldn't stand for it. "We should go back in," she said, turning towards the door that they had walked out from. There was still a chance Serah didn't notice that she was gone, so if they got back in now, maybe things would be okay.

Riku nodded slightly, not objecting. He was sure Lightning knew that she didn't have to go back in, but if she insisted.... He motioned with his arm for her to go on ahead. He would be right behind her.