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 nodded again, though he didn't say anything. He was grateful, he guessed, but an apology wouldn't fix anything. Besides, if anyone needed to receive that apology, it was Lightning and Serah. His mother could start with him, but she needed to finish with them.

Celes looked back down at the ground, knowing that her apology fixed nothing. They were only words, and a lot more than words caused this problem. It was her actions that set this into motion. Is there anything that I can do? she wondered. Or is it already too late? She feared it really was too little too late. Lightning was gone.

Ten days later

 

Locke walked with his son in silence, the two of them approaching the Tsudens' place, where Serah had been living for nearly two weeks. He knocked on the door, Riku standing beside him as they waited for someone to answer the door. It was just after school, so Locke imagined that Serah would be home alone. That would be perfect, since the plan required that she leave her family behind for a while, that way she could join him and Riku in the plan. Today they were going to report the Yedons for their crimes, and hopefully free Lightning of her newest torture.

Serah put down her textbook, thankful for an interruption even if she hadn't begun homework yet. She couldn't focus on it anyway, with Lightning gone. She hadn't been able to speak to her sister since she left, because of Zane. But she couldn't keep replaying those memories in her head. She walked to the door and was surprised at who she saw on the other side. Riku and his father.

Edited July 15, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku looked to the younger Farron, nodding to her in greeting as his father did the same. "Hey Serah," he greeted, smiling ever so slightly. It was weak, but he was trying. He knew she probably didn't feel like smiling these days, and he didn't blame her. But, they did have some good news, if she was willing to listen.

"Hey," Serah greeted in return, though her tone was a bit flat. If she had the energy, she would have scolded herself for not being warmer, but she knew Riku and his father didn't come here for her hospitality. That meant that there was also no reason for small-talk, so she asked what was on her mind. "What's up?"

Locke decided to explain, cutting his son off when he started to speak. "My wife and I have realized what a horrible mistake we've made," he began, looking down at the shorter teenager. "We'd like to somehow make it up to you, and the first step would be to put the Yedons behind bars for their cruel nature." He glanced over in his son's direction, since he had been the one to tell them about the whole situation. Locke was grateful for it, since now there was a chance of saving Lightning from a terrible fate. He returned his gaze to the girl, eyes warm but serious. "That's if you approve, of course."

"If I approve?" Serah nearly laughed, eyes wider at the news. They could save Lightning from her new family! "Of course I approve!" What were they waiting for?! Lightning had been in that house for ten days now, and that was ten days too long. They had to go bring her back home, right away.

Locke smiled slightly at the girl's enthusiasm, glad she approved of the plan. He looked over to his son when he saw Riku's hand outstretched towards Serah, silently beckoning her to come with them. Locke stepped back so she could take Riku's hand, and then they could be on their way. They had a flight to catch.

Later

 

It took hours to get to Bodhum, even by plane. People called it a small world, but it really wasn't that tiny. Serah was impatient the whole flight, and though Riku tried to hide it, she knew that he was the same. When they arrived in Bodhum, they met with the police and Riku's father stormed the house along with them. They arrested Zane's parents, but Lightning wasn't there. Neither was Zane. At first, Serah panicked. Then she realized that the time-zones were different, and Zane was probably just getting out of school. "I know the path that Zane takes home from school," she said to Riku as they walked quickly. She had always made sure to avoid that path he took. "We can intercept him and ask where Lightning is."

Riku nodded to Serah, walking alongside her, his longer legs helping him to keep up. "Right," he said. "Lead the way." He would follow close behind, but he was sure that Serah already had a plan. She seemed to be thinking a lot during the flight, and he could practically hear the gears turning in her head. He was ready for whatever she had.

Serah turned towards an alley that Zane often took and nearly froze when he was at the opposite side of it. It was a long alley though, so he probably didn't see her yet. She backed up quickly and hid behind the wall, grabbing Riku's hand and tugging him back with her. She had a plan. "Stay here," she said quietly. "I want to handle this." Zane wouldn't hurt her. Not when he heard what she had to say.

Riku looked down at Serah, surprised by her sudden order. He peeked around the corner, seeing someone at the end of the alley. That was most likely Zane. He looked back to Serah, nodding. "Okay," he said. But if anything went too far, he would step in immediately. Surely Serah knew that.

Serah let go of Riku's hand and stepped into the alley, walking down towards Zane with her head held high. Lightning said that confidence was important whenever she was faced with anybody who could hurt her. Yeah, she was scared, but she would do anything to bring Lightning back home. She stared down Zane, seeing the distance between them get shorter. "Surprised to see me?" she called, sure he recognized her by now.

Zane had seen someone step out from behind the corner, but the voice gave them away. His steps slowed as he finally got a clear vision of her. "Serah?" he grunted, surprised. What was she doing here? She was supposed to be on a completely different island!

"Let's talk, Zane," Serah said, stopping a few feet in front of him. Keep a safe distance. But let him know that you mean business. Don't appear afraid. And don't let him gain any ground on you. "Where's Lightning?" She expected an answer to that question, and she expected it now. Knowing Zane, he probably wouldn't give an answer. But she would get him talking.

Zane caught the tough act immediately, and he smirked, lifting an eyebrow. "As if I'm gonna tell you," he said. "She's not your family anymore. She's mine." So the little brat could get a move on and head on home. He didn't want her wasting his time.

"I'm sure a jerk like you doesn't appreciate that the bonds of family run strong between me and Lightning," Serah said smoothly, controlling her voice to keep it even. "You definitely don't appreciate your family very much. Did you know that your parents were arrested less than half an hour ago for child abuse?" He definitely didn't. Nobody knew but the police and those right in the area.

Zane took a step forward in shock, his teeth snapping together. "...What did you just say?" he growled. His parents were what? Arrested? No way, he thought. Not his parents. Who could have called the cops on them? Everyone around here was too chicken to do something like that.

Serah automatically wanted to take a step back, but then she heard Lightning's voice in her head. No. Hold your ground. "Do you know how easily it'd be for people to believe you were abusive like they are?" she asked rhetorically. "Pretty easily. So, if I were to scream right now, people would come rushing to the alley and see you--the big, tough guy who takes after his abusive parents, and me, the small, helpless, little girl. They'd think the worst, and you'd be on your way to jail." That was Serah's plan. If he didn't start giving her answers, she'd scream and he'd be taken away. He probably deserved it anyway.

Riku was still standing behind the wall, his back against it as he heard what Serah had to say. She's got guts, just like her sister, he thought, smirking. He heard nothing but silence on Zane's end, and he knew that Serah had him. If she screamed, there were enough people around the area to hear her, and what she said would truly happen. Zane would be caught. Better answer.

 

Zane took another step forward, hands balled into tight fitsts. "You wouldn't," he spat. He would hurt her worse than he had Lightning if she even tried. She was stupid enough for coming here alone, anyway. Nobody would be able to help her if he got his way.

"Better be careful, Zane," Serah advised, glaring at him firmly and still standing her ground. "Standing closer to me with your hands in fists like that really won't help your case when I scream." There were still a few steps between them, thank goodness. Still enough time for her to get a lung-full and scream if he tried anything. He would be incriminating himself if he did anything stupid though. He had to realize that.

Zane ground his teeth together in aggravation, realizing that he would lose this battle. He actually couldn't compete with that. He looked away, frowning at the loss. "Whatever," he mumbled. He remembered her demand, and decided to finally answer it. "I don't know where Lightning is."

 

Riku's smirk disappeared at that, his eyebrows furrowing instead. Zane didn't know where Lightning was? Well why not? he wanted to ask. Zane had insisted on being so close to her, so why wasn't he keeping a close eye on her?

"Wasn't she at school today?" Serah asked Zane. Little did she know that her sister skipped school that day, but Zane surely knew that fact. He had to have been keeping an eye on her so that he could torture her. The thought made Serah curl her hands into tight fists. Lightning, where are you?

"No," Zane growled. He wasn't sure why, either. She left with him, but once they departed for different classes, he never saw her again. Wherever she was, she was in trouble with him. Of course, he doubted that would actually come true, especially when he saw someone else step out from behind the corner. The figure went to stand to the side and slightly behind Serah, and Zane's expression faltered slightly. Riku? "You're here too?"

 

Riku nodded slightly, though his expression was hard as he gazed at Zane. They would find Lightning, but right now, Riku wanted to know one more thing. "...Did you hurt her?" he asked lowly, the threat apparent in just his tone. He told Zane not to put a hand on her, and he was sure the punk ignored those words of advice.