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 caught movement out of the corner of his eye, and he looked up. He saw Lightning and smiled slightly, nodding to her. "Morning," he called softly. She looked like she was back to normal, though he didn't suspect it completely. Nobody could recover that quickly.

A smile tugged at Lightning's lips. "Morning," she said quietly in return. She didn't really want to dig around Riku's kitchen now that he was in here as well; that felt a bit weird to her. She supposed that she'd just have to ask where some things were. The knowledge would only be good for this week though, since that was as long as she was staying here.

Riku continued to shake up his protein drink, and he saw that Lightning looked a little lost. While she was difficult to read at times, he could at least tell that. "Hungry?" he asked. She looked well-rested, so asking if she slept well was out of the question; she had, and that was a great thing to know. It was nice to have a guest stay at his home and feel comfortable.

"Yeah," Lightning said with a slight nod. "Do you have cereal anywhere?" That was what she had taken to eating the past two years, just because it was quick and easy. And cheap. There wasn't room for luxury when she had to pay for everything out of her paycheck, which was small. It's a good thing Serah and I aren't getting a house together right now. We wouldn't have the money.

Riku nodded a little and lifted his hand, pointing to a cabinet. "Second one on the right," he indicated, looking to Lightning again as he lowered his hand. Surely she knew that she wasn't limited to cereal; she could use the kitchen to actually cook, but he wouldn't push that on her just yet. It was only the first day, after all.

"Thanks," Lightning said with a small nod. She headed over to the cabinet and opened it up, seeing one of her favorite kinds in there. She pulled that box out and then opened the cabinet next to it and grabbed a bowl. The only reason she knew where the bowls were was because they were the same place as the plates. She began to pour the cereal in, the silence between her and Riku not awkward.

Riku turned and leaned against the counter he was by, snapping the lid off his bottle. "Any plans today?" he asked, then taking a swig of his shake. Serah was in school, that much he knew. And he needed to get to work soon; even if he did have a lot of money from his travels, he was smart enough to know it wouldn't last forever.

Lightning shook her head, going to the fridge to get milk. "When would I have had time to make plans?" she reminded him. It was less than twenty-four hours since she was brought back to the Island, and while she was here, she had been getting a little more settled in Riku's home and sleeping.

Riku shrugged. "Don't know. Figured you might have wanted to do something today," he said, trying to carry on the conversation. Maybe she had an idea this morning when she woke up, and if not, well that was okay too. He had just been curious.

Lightning thought about it for a moment, pouring milk over her cereal and then putting the former back in the fridge. "Maybe I'll go job hunting," she pondered aloud. After all, she had to quit her job when she thought she was staying with Zane for a while. They already had somebody to replace her. So she'd have to get something completely new, unfortunately.

Riku had taken a drink of his shake, but upon hearing that, he lowered his bottle. "What?" he asked, surprised. Lightning just got back from Hell and was wanting to get a job? That didn't make much sense, especially when she didn't need to. He would provide for her until she went to his parents', and they would do the same until she turned eighteen. Getting a job wasn't necessary.

Lightning arched a brow at Riku, not seeing what he was so surprised about. "When I'm eighteen, it'll be better to have some money saved up," she said. That way, she and Serah could get an apartment again and survive on their own. She knew this wasn't the type of thing she should have been thinking about right now, but...

Riku shook his head slightly, placing his bottle down on the counter. "Light..." he started. "You need to worry about that when the time--" He stopped short when he heard a knocking on the door, and he turned his head in question. He hadn't been expecting anyone. Riku pushed himself away from the counter and left the kitchen, going through the living room to the door. When he opened it, his eyebrows furrowed. A man in a suit...and looking like he had something up his sleeve.

Light arched a brow at the whole thing, but she decided to stay in the kitchen. The person at the door was probably a guest of Riku's or a friend of some sort. Definitely not somebody for her. She sat down on a bar-stool and began eating her cereal in silence, not hearing anything from the other room. If it was for Riku, it was none of her business anyway.

"Who're you?" Riku asked, instantly going on the defensive. This guy looked like a businessman, a politician, or a lawyer. Riku wasn't comfortable with any of those. He kept a hand on the door, standing in the way so the man couldn't see inside. Riku suddenly got a bad vibe.

 

"You're Riku, I presume," the man said, smiling a brilliant smile that only somebody rich could afford. He saw the young man's eyes narrow at the recognition, but he only continued. "I'm Cecil Zimmerman, Miss Farron's lawyer. I've come to discuss some options with her regarding her most recent situation."

 

Riku hesitated a moment, wondering if this guy was for real. But after a second, he realized it wasn't his choice, even if he was suddenly protective of the girl in the apartment with him. "Hey, Light," he called behind him, then facing Cecil again. The person needed to see her, but the fact that he knew Riku wasn't exactly comforting.

Edited July 18, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Lightning heard Riku call for her, so she swallowed her cereal and then headed out to the living room. She automatically looked past Riku to the man on the other side of the doorway. Of course she didn't recognize him; she had never seen him a day before in her life. She shot Riku a confused and questioning look. What's going on?

Riku turned around halfway, looking over at the girl who just joined him. "Your lawyer," he said, jerking his head toward the man just outside the apartment. She seemed confused, and so was he. He didn't exactly get what was going on here.

Lightning stepped next to Riku, arching a brow at this lawyer. "I don't have a lawyer," she said, voice filled with confusion. If she did have a lawyer, she would have used him in the recent case with keeping Serah under her custody. So who was this guy, and why was he telling Riku he was her lawyer when he wasn't?

Cecil smiled still. "Not officially, but I would like to help you out in your sticky situation, Miss Farron." He held his hand out, his eyes resting on the young girl. "Cecil Zimmerman." He would help her if she allowed him to.

 

Riku's eyebrows furrowed a little more. So this guy wasn't officially Lightning's lawyer... He just lied so he could see her face-to-face, didn't he? He's already pretty screwy. This can't end well. He just had a feeling.

Lightning didn't shake his hand. If he wanted to help her so badly, he should have made himself known a few weeks ago. Just like Riku, she didn't like this guy. "What sticky situation am I in, Mr. Zimmerman?" she asked, humoring him in at least that. The way she saw it, things were smooth sailing from here on out. She'd be with Riku for a week, then move in with his parents and Serah until she was eighteen. Nothing sticky about that.

Cecil let his hand fall. "Being taken into a violent household, of course," he said with a small nod, smile gone. "I would like to discuss your options with you. If you feel it is right, you can testify against Mr. Yedon and put him to justice." Of course, it was all up to her.

 

Riku instantly became defensive. "I thought my dad took care of that," he replied, bringing up how the man was even taken to jail. The proof was there, obviously, given the living situation and how awful living there had been for Lightning.

 

"To an extent," Cecil explained, looking to the Keyblade wielder. "We're aware of his charges, but he still needs to be put to trial. Having dealt with the man firsthand, Miss Farron, I find it suitable for you to testify against the man and make sure he stays away from the public for a long time."

Lightning folded her arms across her chest, feeling a little uneasy. "I'm not interested in taking him to court," she said. "You guys have enough proof without me testifying against him." That was the impression that she had from Riku's dad. She knew witnesses were good for cases, but this wasn't a fight that she wanted to be a part of. On the contrary, she wanted to stay as far away from it as possible.

Cecil nodded, knowing where this was going. She was going to refuse. "I understand, but what we're looking to do is make sure this man stays behind bars. The best way to do that is for a witness of his cruelty to stand in front of the court and testify," he explained. "Is there anything I can do to change your mind, Miss Farron?" Surely she wanted to put someone who put her through so much to justice. Who wouldn't?

Lightning shook her head. "No." Nothing was going to change her mind on this. She just got out of that house less than twenty-four hours ago, and now some lawyer showed up and was trying to drag her back into it? That wasn't right. Even if he waited a week, her answer would still be the same. She wasn't getting into this fight.

"Surely there must be--"

 

"She said no," Riku repeated lowly, seeing already that Mr. Zimmerman wasn't about to give up so easily. Riku placed his arm in front of Lightning and gently ushered her back as he started to close the door. Cecil continued to talk, but Riku only frowned as he shut the door in the man's face. He didn't want to hear his reasoning, and he didn't want Lightning to have to go through it either.