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!

"Any takers?" Riku asked, sitting on a couch just outside the fitting rooms. Lightning was obviously done, though she didn't look pleased. He wouldn't have been either, if people were telling him to dress a certain way for people. But he knew that this had to be done, and he hoped Lightning recognized that as well.

Lightning nodded faintly, only holding the items that fit. On top of that pile was the one that she had issues with. "You really want me to have a skirt?" she asked, glancing down at it again. She said coming in here that she didn't want any, yet Riku picked it up anyway. She knew he was looking out for her, but still. She didn't like it.

"I figured it wouldn't be that bad," Riku replied with a shrug. "It's not that girly, at least." Besides, he thought she would look good in a skirt; that was why he picked it up. If they ever went out on a fancy dinner date--which was likely--she could wear that and the press would be satisfied.

"I'll take that as a 'yes', then," Lightning said, still staring at the clothes. Riku did want her to have a skirt. "But you know I can't let you pay for all of this." First the coat, and now about ten other clothing articles. There was no way that she could let him buy her all of this.

Riku rolled his eyes, pushing himself to his feet. "I don't need your permission, Light," he said. He motioned for her to follow him to the checkout counter, where he would pay for the clothes. He brought her into this mess, agreeing to Sora's plan and telling her she needed new clothes. He would be the one paying for it, literally.

"Actually, you do," Lightning said as she remained where she was. "Unless you plan on taking them out of my hands." This was the closest thing to a temper tantrum that she would get in public. She was touchy about the finances. She didn't have much money for the past few years, but she always managed to take care of herself and Serah. Why should now be any different?

Riku only made it a few feet before he stopped, turning around. His eyebrows furrowed, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was Lightning pouting? "...Don't do this here," he told her lowly. People were casting them glances alone, since they were shopping together and out in public. Word could get out that they had their first fight only a few hours after declaring their feelings to the public. That wouldn't be good.

Lightning glanced at other customers out of the corner of her eye. Right, of course they were looking. Riku was famous for the right reasons. She started forward wordlessly, biting her tongue. Yeah, she was ticked off, but there wasn't anything that she could do about it in public. She just hated being told what to do though. She liked to think that she had some control over her life, but apparently she didn't.

Riku walked with Lightning to the checkout area, where he bought her clothes in silence. The cashier couldn't stop smiling at him, and he gave her his "famous" half-smile as he said thank you. She blushed, which he noted silently, and he started out of the store, ready to face the paparazzi again.

Edited July 30, 201213 yr by Forever Love

A young lady was waiting by the door for Riku and Lightning, the latter holding the clothes that were just bought for her. "Before you two head out to the other media," said the young, blonde reporter, "I'd like to have a word with you." She was a part of the media, obviously. She may have been new to the game, but she had connections. One, to the store owner, who let her come inside even while she was on duty, and to the young man she was looking at with her blue eyes. Riku.

Riku's steps slowed as he approached the person before him, his eyes widening in shock. "...Ashe?" he said, voice showing his disbelief. He hadn't heard from her in a little over a year now, and he definitely didn't expect to see her now. She looked...great, but that was expected. At least for Riku.

Edited July 30, 201213 yr by Forever Love

"I go by 'Ashelia' by now," Ashe said with a small smile. "But yes." She took a step towards Riku and Lightning, offering the former a hand to shake. "It's nice to see you doing well, Riku." He certainly hadn't stopped going to the gym. He looked nice with the shorter hair, too--the last time she spoke to him, his hair was longer than her own shoulder-length hair by quite a bit. He looked great as a whole, like she was sure she did in her black slacks and bright red coat.

Riku took Ashe's hand gently, nodding to her. "You too," he said with a small smile. She looked great...even better than he remembered her. Then again, his memories were clouded with judgement, since Ashe hadn't exactly treated him best in the past. Regardless, he was glad to see that she was doing okay.

Ashe offered Lightning a handshake as well, so she wasn't rude to Riku's girlfriend. She didn't believe the story that they were a couple, not completely. She wasn't about to ruin their facade though. "I'm with the Destiny Times," she said to the two of them. "I was wondering if I could have an exclusive interview about the two of you."

Edited July 30, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku lifted an eyebrow slightly, not remembering Ashe ever mentioning that she wanted to be a reporter in the past. Regardless, he looked over at Lightning, wondering if she was okay with it. He didn't really mind, honestly. It would be a good way to open up to the press. A majority of the answers could be given there, so people wouldn't follow them around as much. It helped that he could catch up with Ashe at the same time, but that obviously wasn't his main goal. He was with Light now.

"It would help get the rest of the press off your backs," Ashe added for the sake of argument. She knew that was what Riku wanted; the last thing he wanted was for a girl to take advantage of his popularity like she did in the past. She still had regrets about that.

 

Lightning glanced over at Riku, seeing his look. He thought it was a good idea as well. "When?" she asked Ashe, the girl who Riku dated in the past. It was hard to imagine a girl like this making out with Riku; she seemed professional now.

 

"Tonight?" Ashe suggested. "Seven o'clock at Tenzin's." That was a restaurant her boss suggested doing interviews at. It was a nice place and not too many people were there at that time of night.

Riku nodded slightly to Ashe. "We can make it," he announced. Neither he or Lightning had plans around then, so they should have been able to make it. Unless Lightning disagreed of course.

"Great," Ashe said with a small smile. "I'll have a table reserved under my name. I look forward to seeing the both of you." She nodded formally to them and then headed outside, slipping out between the other press members. That hadn't been too hard. Seeing him was painful with her past mistakes, but she had herself to blame for that.

Riku watched Ashe go, though he tilted his head slightly. Well...that wasn't what I was expecting, he thought. He hadn't seen Ashe in over a year, so he didn't even think he would see her today. Especially today, now that he was doing the fake relationship with Lightning.

Lightning watched Ashe go, but once she was gone, she looked over at the young man beside her. "Riku," she called with an arched brow. She didn't know it, but jealousy flashed through her eyes. She saw how he reacted to her presence; Sora and Kairi weren't kidding when they said that Riku and Ashe had chemistry. She felt intimidated by that blonde beauty, even if she seemed kind.

Riku blinked at the call, turning his head to look over at Lightning. He saw the look she was giving him, and he ran a hand through his hair. Right, the paparazzi. "...Ready when you are," he said softly. They had a facade to pull off.

Later that evening, Ashe found herself alone at the restaurant with Riku. He apologized for Lightning not coming--he said that her sister needed her. Ashe assured him that was fine, since she knew the situation. She asked several questions about that but mainly asked questions about the relationship Riku was in. By the end of the interview and the meal, she reached her conclusion: the relationship wasn't real.

Riku sat across from Ashe in silence now as she jotted down some notes, watching her in silence. She was...different than how he remembered her. The last time he saw her, the publicity was all she wanted. But it seemed like she was a lot more down to earth now, especially since she clearly went to school and majored in journalism. Riku couldn't say the same; college wasn't in his future.

"You're fortunate you did this exclusive with me," Ashelia said seriously, writing down just a few more notes before looking around the area. Nobody was close, so she said her opinion in a softer voice. "Somebody else could tell that you're faking it, like I can." She could tell; it was obvious to her. Maybe because she knew Riku, or maybe because there were too many mismatches in his story. Either way, she could tell this relationship was just to satisfy the press.

Riku grunted softly, eyes widening. "...You can tell?" he asked in shock. He thought he and Lightning were pulling it off so well! Clearly they were doing something wrong, though. Was he not affectionate enough towards her? Were they not close enough? The list could go on and on.