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!

"Just leave me alone," Lightning said quietly, but loud enough for those near her to hear. She stepped past some of them only to have more all over her. At least one reporter told everyone to "give her some space". He was big and looked like a former wrestler, so everyone backed off. She didn't bother muttering a thank you, and he didn't bother asking for one. She stuffed her hands in her coat pockets and she was gone.

Riku hadn't bothered parking his bike in the back yesterday, so when he made his way outside, he made sure he was chewing on his food so nobody would expect him to answer any questions. The press was down the street a few yards when he stepped out, so he was clear to head toward the parking lot. But somebody spotted him at the last second, right before he turned the corner. He heard rushed footsteps, but he didn't make a run for it. His bike was close anyway. The cameras were going off behind him; he could hear them. But he ignored them as he took a drink from his water bottle, then getting his helmet out and strapping it on. It went on, visor closed, before anyone could get a clear shot of his face. It was when he was on his bike that some people surrounded him.

Lightning returned that night having had way too much exposure to people. She saw basically everyone she didn't want to see. Sora and Kairi. Noel. Serah. Even Riku's parents. All of them but Serah assured her that Riku was very interested in her, but they couldn't explain why he would kiss Ashe. If Riku was so into her, he'd need to prove why she was so different. She sighed a breath and stepped inside the apartment. She just came from the gym, where she was for four hours. Now it was dinner time and she was actually very hungry.

Riku had made it home from work, and it was safe to say that the day wasn't pleasant. He worked at a local gym--not his own--as a personal trainer. It was weird when all of his clients were giving him weird looks throughout the day, and other people that came into that particular gym whispered about him. His boss actually sent him home early because of all the gossip. Riku was both grateful and upset, but it couldn't be helped. When he got home, he had made sure to stay calm and enjoy the silence while it lasted. Eventually he would get phone calls and lectures.

Lightning thought that she smelled a hot meal when she stepped inside. It was hard to see, considering that the lights were off. All that lit the area were some candles. It looked as if they were in a path, too. Some to her left, and some to her right. They were placed about two-three feet apart in each case, but the path was clear. Unsure about why her heart was suddenly racing, she forgot to take off her coat as she followed the candles to the kitchen.

But Riku hoped the silence didn't last long, on Lightning's part. When he got home from work, he made sure that the place was clean and candles were ready. He wanted to make up for his mistakes, even if it wouldn't be easy. It was worth a shot. He finished with the steak, having used a small kitchen grill to cook them, also having made mashed potatoes and vegetables. There was bread too, but store bought; as if he could bake bread from scratch.

Lightning knew Riku could cook; he had a big hand in the Thanksgiving meal, after all. And he made dinner a few nights while she was here. Nothing fancy like this, though. She leaned her side against the doorway, watching Riku wordlessly. What did he think he was doing here? Some candles, steak, and whatever else here to make up for kissing another girl? He'd have to do more than just cook to make up for this one.

Riku sensed another presence in the apartment, and he busied himself with seasoning the steaks before speaking. "Hope you're hungry," he said softly. "Can't eat all this by myself." It would be difficult, but if he had to he was sure he could call Sora to eat some of it. Then again, Sora hadn't spoken to him all day, since the news broke out. Maybe that wasn't a good idea.

Light was too surprised to roll her eyes. Riku set up candles everywhere and he didn't even follow it up with some cheesy romance line? Was he even taking this seriously? She turned and started back the way she came, to go back to her room. She supposed she should take off her coat, and besides, she had to use the restroom anyway. ...She'd be back.

Riku didn't get a response, and because of that, he felt himself tense up considerably. He set his hands on the counter and lowered his head, exhaling a soft breath. Was this all for nothing? He stared down at the steaks in silence, flexing his jaw as he battled his inner thoughts. He couldn't do this alone; he needed cooperation.

Lightning came out a minute or two later, coat shed. She stood in the doorway and saw Riku's position immediately. She cleared her throat to get his attention, but otherwise took up the same pose that she had before. She had come back, obviously.

Riku didn't bother moving, though he did take the hint. The throat-clearing wouldn't shake him; he was still confident in himself, though he lost some of it with the incident. Regardless, he straightened and got back to work on the steaks. Once they were finished, he turned and grabbed two plates, starting to get the dinner ready to eat. "Go ahead and have a seat," he requested softly. If you want.

Light shut her eyes briefly. She had control of this situation; she knew that she did. If she walked away, Riku wouldn't pursue her. If she sat down, she didn't know what would happen. There was only one way to find out. She sat down in one of the seats quietly, wondering why Riku didn't pull it out for her. At the same time, though, she was sort of glad he didn't. If he acted too perfect, she'd think he had this all rehearsed and it didn't mean anything. Maybe it still didn't, but...She was still here, for now.

Riku got the plates ready, and once they were, he took them to the table, two glasses already filled with water. The table was set with a few flowers and two candles as well, just like the path to the kitchen. It took some thought, but he eventually made it work. He set the plate down in front of Lightning before moving to his own seat across from her, adjusting his chair so he was close enough to the table. Once seated, he lifted his gaze to her in silence. Riku didn't really know what to say to her, now that he was looking at her. He had some things mapped out in his head, but...not silence.

Lightning glanced down at the plate for a moment, but then lifted her gaze to Riku. The firelight from the candles danced in her eyes but didn't interfere with her returning Riku's gaze. She wasn't sure what showed in her eyes, but it probably wasn't anger anymore; she got a lot of that out at the gym. She was more sad than anything else.

"...Um," Riku started, though he felt lame after it. It was a poor start to this whole thing, but he recovered after running his fingers through his hair. "...The last time we went out to eat, Sora and Kairi kind of ambushed us. I figured I could try making it up to you with this." He was referring to the dinner, the candles, the flowers, and the small path leading to the room. He was trying, even if it wouldn't be enough. He hoped Lightning at least realized that. Riku glanced away from Lightning, to the meal, and then back. The look in her eyes was enough to break him, but he kept himself composed...even if the way the light shone in her eyes nearly made him breathless.

Lightning nodded ever so slightly. "We shouldn't let it get cold, then." She knew that those seven words wouldn't carry out a conversation, but at least she spoke to Riku. That was better than what he got all day today. Her gaze fell onto the food again, then went back up to Riku. This was awkward, but here they both were. Willingly too.

Riku nodded in agreement, but he didn't smile. He couldn't, not when things weren't okay between the two of them. He lost a good friend with his stupid decisions, his carelessness. But...he also lost somebody important to him, somebody he believed he had feelings for. Any chances were gone now, but he could at least try repairing the friendship. Hopefully that would be enough.

Lightning picked up a knife and fork wordlessly, starting at her steak. She could tell Riku was trying, but she wasn't sure why. Maybe she'd ask him later. Unless he offered the explanation again now. He tried to tell her something this morning, but she hadn't let him speak. She didn't regret that though. He didn't have the right to talk to her then.

Riku followed Lightning's lead, starting to cut into his steak in silence. With the sound of their forks and knives filling the silence, he didn't find the need to speak. After a few minutes, though, after taking a bite of his potatoes, he lifted his eyes to Lightning. She was beautiful, something he realized so long ago, but...it hadn't been enough. Not then, and not now. "...With your permission," he started softly, gazing at her, "I'd like to explain myself." He never asked for permission from anybody; he always did what he wanted. This was different. She was different, and he was sure by now that she knew it.

Lightning realized again that Riku was giving her control. He knew she liked being in that position. She looked up at him once her fork was done and she swallowed her food. After a few seconds, she nodded faintly. There was his permission. She didn't want to hear excuses though. And he didn't want to tick her off, not while she had a steak knife right by her plate.

Riku gazed at Lightning for a moment before leaving his food alone, lowering his eyes to the flowers. "...The interview was an interview," he started, getting straight to the point. "Not a date, not like you think. Not like anybody thinks. Ashe asked me questions about the two of us, but I clearly didn't think through my answers clearly enough, because she told me right away that she knew we were faking it." But she didn't say anything, and that was why Riku appreciated her friendship.

Light was surprised. Ashe knew that they faked it, yet she published an article on the happy couple. She had read it, obviously; it concerned her after all. So if Ashe knew, why didn't she spill it? Did Riku give her a kiss to keep her quiet? She kept her eyes on him, listening and studying him to see if he was telling the truth.

"She apologized for what she did to me in the past," Riku continued, his food forgotten as he gazed into Lightning's eyes. "She said she wanted to make up for her past mistakes, and protecting me--protecting us--was one way of doing that. She published an article, but didn't reveal our secret." Riku lowered his gaze slightly, to the necklace Lightning wore. "She paid for the dinner and we wished the other the best, but...that was when she kissed me." He hadn't prepared for it; he didn't see it coming at all. It was a peck on the cheek at first, but then it escalated.

Lightning couldn't keep looking at Riku for this part, so she picked up a fork and began to eat again. Obviously she was still listening; she was still here. She didn't have to be, because even if Riku was telling the truth, he kissed her back. He spoke about her like he liked her, too. How terrific she was for protecting them, but she was only doing it because she felt guilty. She wasn't as righteous as Riku was making her out to be.