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 frowned at Lightning's choice of words, not really sure what to think. His mother said she did this out of the good for Lightning and Serah, but right now...it didn't seem like it. They would be miserable without each other, and yet his parents insisted on going through with this. He knew they had somewhat good intentions, but breaking up a family was worse.

There was no way to erase the past. No way to glorify the girl that had come out of it. Lightning leaned her head back against the couch and shut her eyes. It was hopeless. She wasn't a motherly type of person. The world would see her as somebody coldhearted and unworthy of raising a good girl like Serah. Serah was an angel and Lightning was a demon of the darkness. They would take Serah away to save her from Lightning.

Riku turned his head, looking at the girl wrapped under his arm. "...We're going to fix this," he told her lowly, his tone holding nothing but determination. "I'll do everything I can. Be sure to tell Serah that." He wouldn't let the two of them get taken from each other. He knew how important they were to each other, and close. If things didn't go their way, neither girl would be the same.

Lightning only nodded ever so slightly. She didn't doubt Riku's intentions; she knew that he didn't make empty promises. But sometimes trying everything you could just wasn't enough. What would happen when they weren't good enough for the court? How could Lightning keep Serah?

Day Two of Court

 

Riku had his back against a wall just outside the courtroom, staring at the wall. The second day of trial was over, and things weren't good. Not at all. Lightning and Serah.... They were going to be separated, no matter what was said or done. Riku couldn't do anything to help anymore; he failed in keeping his promise to Lightning. She and Serah were being torn apart.

Lightning stood up from her seat up front, feeling exhausted. The trial part of this was over; tomorrow, the decision would be revealed. And it wouldn't be a good one. As she predicted, the offense dove deep into her past to get material against her. A few fights at school. Kids being afraid of her. Back-talking to teachers. It was all personal. And unfortunately, they also revealed more things that she tried to keep hidden. How her dad tragically died when she was seven. How her mother committed suicide. ...And how Lightning was the one to find her body. All of this humiliation along with losing was too much. She turned to leave, ready to break.

 

"Miss Farron," the judge called. "A moment, please." As the seventeen year old turned around, the judge took two steps towards her. "I believe we can all see the outcome of this," he said. "But I also see your love for your sister. You should know that there are a lot of families ready to take her in. Good families, believe me." He hoped that was at least a little reassuring.

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku knew he did all he could. There was no doubt about it in his mind. He even got so defensive that he was ordered to sit back down in his seat when he was at the stand. He knew how well Lightning did at taking care of Serah, but it seemed that was completely disregarded because she was a minor. The young man glared at the floor, unable to believe this was happening to people so innocent.

Upon seeing Lightning's blank nod, the judge continued. "Unfortunately, because of your record, there are not so many families willing to take you," he said, being as gentle as he could be. "But there is one family. They're here tonight to meet you, and assure you that everything will be alright." He shifted his gaze towards the side door, seeing two parents enter the room. They had one other child too; he was probably along as well.

 

Lightning follwed the judge's gaze, though she didn't care who this family was. She was already planning to run away with Serah; they were not going to be separated. But she had to do a double-take when she recognized the son of the two people. Her face paled within seconds. Zane.

Riku sighed, aware that his parents had been trying to do what they thought was best for Lightning and Serah. But they didn't realize that they only wanted to be together. He had told them that, but his parents still hadn't listened. They never listen to me, I guess. Never have.

Lightning looked over at the judge, surprise still in her expression. Yet she tried to remain calm as the family stopped right in front of her. "Your records should say that Zane was one of the ones I fought in school," she said.

 

"They do," the judge assured her. "Yet his family is willing to take you in anyway. To give you a second chance." He frowned at LIghtning's expression. She wasn't in a place to turn them down. It was this or the streets. No, they wouldn't even allow that. She was going to be a foster child. No matter what.

Riku continued to stare at the ground, letting his thoughts wander. Where was Lightning? She should have been out of the courtroom by now, and the same went for Serah. The young man turned his head, looking toward the door. What was going on in there? Riku pushed himself away from the wall and approached the door, pushing it open enough to put one foot inside, peeking in.

 

Zane had his arms crossed as he leaned against a wooden chair in the courtroom, his eyes resting on Lightning. "Welcome to the family, sis," he said, smirking at the girl. Now he could torture her poor soul for a long time, at least until she turned eighteen. But it would be a fun year.

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Lightning looked at the judge, trying not to let panic surface. This wasn't going to happen. It couldn't. "Let me get this straight," she said, trying to stay as calm as possible. "I've been able to support two people for two years, and now you're not even going to let me support myself? You're forcing me to get adopted when I'm one year away from being an adult?"

 

The judge nodded, though his eyebrows were furrowed at Lightning's tone. "You are a minor," he reminded her, not that he needed to. "So you must be living with adults. That's how things work here."

Riku glared at the back of Zane's head, unable to believe what he just heard. Zane just called Lightning his sister, which meant his family was adopting her. No way, he thought. Zane probably put his family up to this, when Riku made his most recent threat to the boy quite clear. He was to stay away from Lightning, and now he was going against that completely.

 

Zane pushed himself away from the chair, his gaze leaving the judge and going to his new "sister." "Hey, Lightning?" he called. "Can we talk for a sec?" He assured his parents that he would "make amends" with her as soon as possible, but he was going to tell her the truth. The reality of her new life was going to be hell.

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Lightning turned her gaze to Zane, eyebrows furrowing as she stared hard at him. She knew that the judge could still see her, but she couldn't hide her full anger. Zane was going to torture her. No he's not! she thought angrily. Because he's not going to adopt you. You're running. Tonight. ​And Serah was going to come with her. They wouldn't be separated. "Fine," she said lowly. She'd talk to him. She had no choice. Refusing would make her look worse to the judge.

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku saw Zane turn in his direction, since he clearly wanted to talk privately. With that in mind, Riku ducked out of the room and out of sight. Whatever Zane was up to, he was going to listen in and find out. He protected Lightning last time, and he wasn't going to hesitate in doing it again.

Lightning and Zane walked out to an alley beside the court building and another, and that was when Lightning suspected this might get physical. But not from her. She couldn't risk anything, or Zane would tell the court and Lightning would definitely lose Serah. It's going to happen anyway. Maybe you should just slug him. She restrained herself though. She stood with her back to the wall, arms folded across her chest as she stared at Zane and waited for him to say what he had to say.

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku walked quietly, naturally, toward the area where Lightning and Zane disappeared to. Of course, he made sure he wouldn't get spotted, since this clearly was supposed to be private. But he got a bad vibe from this, especially since it was Zane. Riku stopped near the corner of the building, peeking his head around to see the two in the alleyway, with Zane's back to him.

 

Zane stood a few feet from Lightning, his satisfied smirk remaining on his face from earlier. This was just too good. "So, Lightning," he started, arrogant as always. "Let's just get a few things straight. First of all, sis, you'll be living in my house now, which means you'll have to listen to me now. And if you don't, my parents will be the ones to deal with you, and it won't be pretty. Second, fighting against any of this is pointless. You'll never win. And finally..." His smirk turned into a dark smile. "Your life is going to be hell. I hope you're prepared."

"We're listing things off now?" Lightning asked with an arched brow. "Two can play that game," Lightning said, staying as calm as she could as she viciously glared at Zane. "First, I'm not your sister. Second, I don't care if I won't win. I'm still fighting. And third--my life's been hell for the past two years, at least. You're going to need to do worse than that if you want to frighten me." He was bigger, both in height or muscle, but her cunning always helped her. It would help her here too, right?

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Peanut

Zane only continued to smile. "Oh, you can count on that," he promised. He wouldn't hesitate in making Lightning's life even worse. "While Serah's off living the fairytale life, you'll be stuck here, suffering. That's what you deserve." She would pay for the humiliation she caused him, even if he did win their last brawl...before the Keyblade loser stepped in.

 

Riku gritted his teeth as he glared at the back of Zane's head, unable to believe anything he was hearing. No way was Zane going to get away with any of this! Riku would be sure of that.

Edited July 12, 201213 yr by Forever Love

"I don't know what you could do to make me suffer worse," Lightning said with a casual shrug, though her eyes remained fiery. What he said was true--Serah would be living a good life, and Lightning would be suffering. If this all played out. She thought of running, but...where could she run to? Nowhere. For the first time, a pang of terror ran through her bones. There was no avoiding this reality.

Zane chuckled darkly, taking a few steps toward Lightning. "Oh, I do," he assured her. He backed her up against the wall, placing a hand by the side of her head to pin her in. He would make her suffer greatly.

Lightning was forced back, and though only one hand was by her head, she couldn't move. There was a trash can right next to her on the other side, so she was pinned. Why did she stand so close to a wall?! Still, she gritted her teeth and stared at Zane in fury. He would pay for this. She'd find a way to stay out of his life forever and save Serah. And herself.

"You see, Lightning," Zane started, lifting his free hand and starting to twirl her pink hair around his finger. "When we go home, you won't only be living with me. I have some other...special plans in mind." He gazed at the pretty face before him, looking down at her. "When my parents aren't home, and late at night, you'll be all mine. We'll have some fun in my room..."

 

Riku's hand balled into a tight fist, his fingers pressed into his palm as his knuckles turned white. His jaw flexed at the words he heard leaving that loser's mouth, and he just about summoned Dark Aura to his hand, his skin briefly glowing blue before he forced it away. No, he couldn't do anything reckless...not yet.

Lightning could only grunt, too stunned and horrified to respond. Was this truly reality? Wasn't there any way to avoid this?! She didn't even bother lifting her hands and shoving Zane away. They both knew the truth: if she did anything right now, before the final decision of the court was made, then she was completely screwed. Her hands were curled into fists by her sides now, so tight that they nearly trembled. No, she thought. No...

Zane smiled again, humming at that grunt. "A predictable reaction," he declared. "But you see, my father takes care of my mother when she doesn't listen, and he doesn't treat her well. If you refuse me, you'll experience the same treatment....and it'll be a little like this." He grunted, throwing his fist at the girl's stomach with all his strength.