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!

"Well fine then," Lightning said. "That's probably--" Wait a second. She stopped mid-sentence, looking over at Riku. "What did you just call me?" She had heard him, but this was her doing a double-take. He just called her "Light", instead of "Lightning." It was just an abbreviated version of her name, but it held a whole different set of connotations. He must have realized that.

Edited June 29, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku's smirk faded a little out of confusion, but he looked at Lightning all the same. "...Light," he answered softly. That was what he called her. He...hadn't really meant to; it just happened. And it somehow felt natural.

Lightning blinked at the name, realizing along with Riku that it just slipped the first time. But since he repeated it, he must have thought of the significance at least a little bit. Light. That was definitely a new one. "I don't know how fitting a nickname that is..." she said. People associated with the Light were cheerful and optimistic, but she wasn't like that.

"Maybe not to you," Riku said, implying he believed it fit. It slipped from his lips for a reason, and maybe it was his heart's way of guiding him again, closer to this girl. But...why her? Did she have a special influence on him, one that defied his parents' way of thinking?

"You're a really confusing guy," Lightning said, eyes dancing over Riku's face. She really didn't understand him, even if he was bold and nearly always said what he was thinking. Today he thought she was beautiful, and that she had the right to be called "Light". She didn't understand the logic behind either of those, though. Not at all.

"Give it a little time," Riku advised, relaxing in the couch again. "I'm sure you'll figure out what I mean eventually." And she could possibly figure him out as well, but that was a completely different thing in itself. Lightning would have to work on that one.

"You assume I have a brain to back up my brawn," Lightning said with a small smirk, referring to what she had said about Riku earlier. She supposed she would have to figure this out on her own--punishment for making Riku analyze what she had said earlier about the storm. Oh well; she supposed that was fair.

Riku looked Lightning up and down, lifting an eyebrow. "What brawn?" he asked, acting serious but really joking. Lightning was too cryptic a lot of the time; she needed to loosen up a bit. But then again, Riku was the same, except it was usually Sora who was telling him to cheer up.

"The same brawn that made you hold your side when I elbowed you," Lightning piped. And besides, Riku saw examples of her strength before. When she slugged Zane. During the Struggle match with Snow when she managed to get in several good hits. Not so much in the second fight against Zane, because that was mostly defensive, but still. Riku knew that she was strong.

Riku released a small "hmph," nodding once in acceptance. "Fair enough," he admitted. Lightning was right; she had jabbed him, and it did hurt a little. But he wouldn't admit that, ever. He had to keep up his image, after all--the Keyblade wielder of Darkness, the invincible one....though he was far from invincible at all.

Lightning hummed in satisfaction, knowing that she was right. She was physically strong, but she also did have a brain. That should have been pretty obvious by now, since Riku saw her thinking logically in the past. It felt like forever ago that she had actually disliked Riku. Now, she had a crush on him. It was bittersweet, especially since she was sure he couldn't return the feelings. Who could love a girl like her?

Riku gazed at Lightning for a little longer, but then he tore his eyes away, running a hand through his hair. The way she was looking at him.... Had any girl ever looked at him like that before? He wanted to compare it to the girls who went gaga over him when he and Sora made public appearances, but that couldn't be right. Lightning wasn't like that...

Lightning looked away as well, staring ahead of her as she leaned her head back against the couch. She wasn't somebody who spoke just for the sake of breaking silence; she often spoke only when she had something important to say. The words that she wanted to say now, though, wouldn't ever be said. You're a good guy, Riku. Too good for me.

A few days later

 

Namine sat in one of the back rows of the hall, her eyes on the stage. Today was the day that many of the aspiring musicians who attended the Academy were able to share their talents, and Namine knew one of them personally. She wasn't sure where Roxas was, but she was here to surprise him nonetheless. Nobody else knew what was going on tonight, but that was alright. She wouldn't tell anyone, since she knew that Roxas was very secretive about his music.

Roxas stood back stage, nervously tugging at the collar of his light green shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, but he was still hot. He was up next on stage. Oh, why did he have to perform?! Recitals were mandatory for students, and he was no exception. At least for this one, they were allowed to perform covers of other songs instead of singing personal works. He heard his name called and took in a breath as another person backstage wished him good luck. I can do this. I've fought Heartless, what's stage-fright to a guy like me? He stepped out towards the piano, appearing more confident than he felt.

Roxas! Namine smiled instantly upon seeing him, clapping along with the audience as he made his way towards the piano. She knew he was talented with instruments, though she knew that the guitar was his strong suit. But this would just make it more interesting, and challenging; Roxas always was up for new experiences. Namine knew he would do well. Even if they hadn't talked much the past few years, she had a feeling he was more confident and comfortable with himself when it came to music.

Okay, Roxas told himself again as he sat down on the bench. He forgot to bow to the crowd, but it didn't matter now. You can do this. He placed his fingers on the piano, the ivory keys familiar underneath his fingertips. He had been practicing so much lately so that he could do this song. He just hoped that it went well. A few seconds of awkward silence filled the air before his fingers began to dance over the keys, playing perfectly thus far.

Namine sat in her seat in silence, her eyes watching Roxas's hands from where she was, though it was a little more difficult. Regardless, she paid attention, a small smile already on her face at Roxas's perfect start. He played beautifully, much like she had told him before. There was no reason for him to be nervous, if he was.

"Making my way downtown, walking fast. Faces pass and I'm home-bound," Roxas sang, keeping his eyes on the piano before him instead of glancing out at the audience. It would only distract him. But soon after he began singing, he thought he heard a girlish scream from the audience. No, that was completely impossible. He was imagining things. "Staring blankly ahead, just making my way--making a way through the crowd..."

Namine heard that squeal, and she lifted a hand to her lips to muffle her soft laughter. Roxas, you're winning them over already, she thought, watching her friend. They were...friends, right? She knew that they talked about the incident at the restaurant, but she didn't feel like that was enough closure. Regardless, she was here to support him. Even if she wasn't a friend to him, he was a friend to her. A friend with a fantastic voice.

"And I need you," Roxas sang in a more gentle voice. "And I miss you. And now I wonder...If I could fall into the sky, do you think time would pass me by? 'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you tonight." Were people gathering by the stage? That didn't happen with any of the other musicians. Nor did the girls' reactions. He knew he wasn't just imagining it now. Flustered but a bit more confident, he continued with the second verse and then sprang into the chorus again. He wouldn't quit now.

Edited July 8, 201213 yr by Peanut

While people--girls, Namine noted--gathered by the stage, the blonde remained in her seat. It wasn't like she could really move in the first place. Roxas's voice...was amazing, beautiful. She was in awe of his abilities; not only could he play music, much like she originally thought, he could sing well. And he was attractive. No wonder the girls were squealing over him.

Roxas did manage to finish the song, without any flaws, thank goodness. He took in a soft breath, singing the last chorus one more time. "If I could fall into the sky, do you think think would pass me by? 'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you." More softly. "...If I could just, hold you, tonight." He finished out the last few keys, then gingerly lifted his fingers off the piano. It was done.

Namine clapped along with the audience, her smile widening as she looked at Roxas. He had played...wonderfully, and his voice was nothing to be ashamed of. So why didn't he perform more? When she heard the girls at the front start squealing, she thought about her question again. Maybe that's why. But...would she even be able to go backstage and surprise him, congratulate him? Would she be allowed?

Roxas stood up from the piano, blinking in surprise at all the girls. A sheepish smile appeared on his lips as he lifted a hand and rubbed the back of his head. He really hadn't been prepared for this type of reaction. Glancing out past the girls, he saw one of his instructors and remembered what he forgot before. He bowed slightly before walking off stage, hearing the girls coo. Apparently they thought the bow was cute.