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!

"No, it's not," Celes agreed. "But it's a sacrifice that needs to be made for the greater good. Serah needs a proper parent, and Lightning needs to not be an adult at such a young age." She stepped closer to her son, lifting a hand to set on his arm. "It's for the best, Riku." Whether he wanted to admit it or not, this was what the girls really needed.

Riku looked down at the hand on his arm before his eyes landed on his mother's. "You could have talked to them about this first," he said, voice dangerously low in tone. "Wouldn't that have been a more reasonable approach?" They were the victims, after all. They had a right to say what they thought of it, which surely wasn't good.

"I suppose," Celes agreed. "But it's done now." She wasn't going to withdraw the letter that she sent in; she wasn't convinced that Lightning should be a guardian. It wasn't personal at all now; she was truly trying to do what was best.

"No...no it's not," Riku said. He looked down at his mother, voice a little calmer now as he got to his true intentions. "...You have to withdraw the claim."

 

"Riku," Locke said, stepping forward. He stood beside his wife, attracting his son's attention. His gaze seemed to say it all. The claim wouldn't be withdrawn.

 

Riku's eyebrows furrowed instantly. "...What?" he practically growled. They wouldn't withdraw?

Celes took her hand off her son's arm. "I'm sorry," she said gently. "But we're not withdrawing our request. The court will have to decide what's best for the girls now." According to the letter, the first hearing would take place in three days. It was the extreme circumstances that convinced them to sort this out quickly.

Riku's eyes sharpened, and he glared at both of his parents like he would an enemy. "...If this is your way of trying to tell me to stay away from Lightning, by separating her and her sister," he spat, "you're doing the opposite. I've seen how well Lightning takes care of Serah, who gets good grades in school and is happy. When this goes to court, I'll be defending them. You two are on your own."

 

Locke blinked, though his eyes instantly narrowed. "Riku Edgar--"

 

"Save it," Riku said, glaring at his father, who stood at equal height with him. "I don't need the speech. You guys have made yourselves clear enough." He was done talking about this.

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Celes only looked at her son. She knew there was nothing she could say to change his mind, just as he couldn't change hers. "Fate will decide," she declared quietly. If it was against her, then that was alright. If it was for her--which she thought it was--it would be the best for everyone. Riku would see in the end.

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku snatched the letter from his father before leaving his parents in silence. He opened the door and slammed it shut behind him without another glance, going out to his bike in the pouring rain. Lightning would be disappointed that the claim wouldn't be withdrawn, and so was he, but...there was nothing more he could do. This would have to be settled in court.

Lightning sat on Riku's couch, as dry as she could get with the towel that he had given to her. The trembling was gone now, but only because she forced herself to knock it off. The fright was still there. Riku wasn't going to be able to sway his parents, if they were anything like him. He had to get stubbornness from somewhere. She shut her eyes, listening to the silence that made her want to snap either in anger or sorrow.

Riku approached the door to his apartment, taking out the key and unlocking the door. He opened the door, seeing Lightning on the couch instantly. He was wet from the rain, but the anger on his face was probably more obvious. He turned to shut the door, though, keeping his back to her temporarily. His parents wouldn't give up; they were actually going through with this.

Lightning's head turned sharply to Riku as soon as he entered the apartment. But he stood at the door longer than he should have, with his back to her. Now would be the time when he was supposed to rush over and tell her that everything was okay. But it isn't. She still stared at him, eyes pleading for him to say what she wanted to hear. But only if it was truth.

Riku exhaled a breath, closing his eyes as he prepared for Lightning's reaction. It wouldn't be good. He turned slowly, releasing the door as he gazed at her. "...I'm sorry," he said lowly. His parents wouldn't listen to him.

Sorry. He's sorry, because... Lightning looked away. She didn't even have to complete the thought to know the truth. She leaned forward on the couch, interlacing her fingers behind her head as her elbows rested on her knees. This was it, then. She was going to court and she was going to face humiliation along with losing Serah. It was over before it even began in her eyes.

Riku looked at Lightning in her newest position only for a second before he started taking off his jacket and shoes. He wasn't sure what to say. An apology wouldn't cut it, and Lightning knew that. The only thing left to do would be to defend her case in court.

Lightning gritted her teeth as her eyes shut. She couldn't just give up! Unlike her mother, she was a fighter. What could she do to keep Serah with her? The good grades in school were obvious, and the fact that they were able to live in an apartment instead of on the streets proved she did something right. But she knew that there was much more against her than there was for her. There was little to no hope.

Riku turned to look at Lightning again, and the next thing he knew, he was approaching her. He sat down beside her in silence, and after a moment, he wrapped his arm around her. It was just something he felt like he needed to do...and wanted to do. He didn't like seeing somebody so strong so vulnerable.

Lightning felt Riku's arm go around her back, and if it were any other day, she would have been thrilled. But not today. She allowed him to hold the position, and after a few moments, she opened her eyes and stared down at her lap. Three days. Three days to plan a defense and their next move if they lost. She wasn't going to be separated from Serah just because a stupid judge said so. They'd have to literally tear Serah out of her arms.

Riku rubbed Lightning's arm slowly, gazing at her as he remained silent. What else could he do now? Nothing. He could only be there for her. He not only wanted to, but felt he needed to, since his parents were the ones who did this to her. But they wouldn't get away with it. Riku would try his hardest to help Lightning and Serah stay together.

Slowly, Lightning lowered her hands from her head. They stayed together in front of her, right in her line of vision. "Now it's really over," she finally said in a quiet voice. There was no hope. Lightning may have been a good guardian to Serah, but a lot of people didn't view her as a good person. That was what was going to bring her down in the end.

Riku gazed at Lightning, eyebrows furrowing slightly at her words. "You can't really believe that," he told her, voice quiet. How could she? Giving up hope would only help her lose. She had to try.

"That's reality, Riku," Lightning said quietly without looking over. "I know I treat Serah well and take care of her. But that's a side of me nobody else sees. They see the girl who has violent tendencies and anger issues. That's what will convince the court to take her." No matter what defense she made, the adults would make the decision. Even Serah's testimony probably wouldn't matter.

"I've seen that side of you," Riku said, his gaze remaining on Lightning even if she wouldn't look over at him. He would help her stand up to the court and convince the judge. "I already told my parents I'm siding with you." They knew he would take the stand.

Lightning wasn't surprised by that, but she was flattered nonetheless. It did make her feel less alone, too. She leaned back in the couch, closer to Riku than before and against his side because of his arm being around her. Just having him by her side meant a lot to her. More than words could describe. "I guess we better start preparing a defense, then," she said softly.

"Mm," Riku said, keeping his arm around Lightning as he looked down at her. But after a moment, he looked ahead, starting to think of their defense. They wouldn't lie, and they wouldn't exaggerate. They had to be completely honest.

Lightning shut her eyes, speaking what she was certain to be truth. "They're going to dig into my past," she said. "And they'll use it against me. It won't matter who I am today. Honesty may be on our side, but they'll warp it all for their purposes." They were evil and she was good. Darkness and Light. She had to beat them! Serah's life--and her own--were at stake.