Hey people! I'm back with the next chapter ^^ I hope you like this one, this one's longer than the last one hehe i hope you like it ^^
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The Prince and the Pauper
~Chapter Five~
Out for the night
Prince Riku waited for Roxas to give him word that it was safe to leave. He waited in his new white, gold and blue room. The walls that he stared on were white lined with gold and the blue marble floor was polished and yet not smooth enough to cause one to trip. One large window was near his bed, it gazed out to the night sky. It was a heavy set dark blue with millions upon millions of stars. The largest star, shined through it all and kept the sky a wonder. The moon wasn’t out yet and night birds were singing softly.
Prince Riku looked out the window and found himself staring at the bright star. He felt compelled to wish upon it. He stood from his bed and walked to the small balcony, and gazed to the cliff below. A great river flowed at the bottom, and no one dared to go to that river to fish, even though it was said that there was fish there that could end any hunger in the kingdom.
Leaning on the parapet he found himself sighing with negative thoughts in his head. He thought about how he’d never get a chance to tell Namine, how he’d never get to be really free, how he’d never just never do exactly what he wanted. He would be married and then he’d be forced to rule a kingdom, two technically, and then he’d be expected to raise kids, soon after marriage. But where was the fun in that? He didn’t have feelings for this princess; he loved Namine, not Princess Kairi.
“Hey, Riku,” a voice from his door broke his thoughts, facing to see the person he saw Namine. “Are you ready?”
He swallowed, “Yeah,” he had forgotten about Namine being the one to come and get him. His heart raced. Every fiber in his being wanted to tell her. He wanted to hold her.
Namine stepped closer, “Alright, take this cape and follow me,” she said in whisper.
He took the cape and held it for a moment, “Actually, give me a moment.”
“Why?”
“Just give me a moment, I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” he walked over to his work station and sat down. He pulled open his drawer, he pulled out a few papers and gazed at them. He wondered what he should write. He felt the impulse to write. He placed a few of the papers on his desk and found an empty piece of paper, he pulled out a pen and starting writing. After a moment he was finished writing and he placed the other papers on top, hiding his latest writing. He stood, put his cape on and nodded to Namine.
“Okay, follow me,” she smiled.
Prince Riku nodded again and followed her out his room door. Namine smoothly and carefully led Riku through the halls. Reaching the set of stairs to the garden Namine paused and looked around the corner, after she made sure it was safe she waved her hand for him to follow. Namine opened the glass door and led the prince to the carriage. The white and gold carriage, Roxas waited, he sat in front of the carriage in the driver’s seat.
“Hey buddy,” Roxas said jumping off the high seat. “Ready for the night out?”
“Yes,” He answered with a grin, “I’m ready.”
“Good,” Roxas said with a bow, he opened the carriage door and waiting for Prince Riku to enter.
Riku tightened his jaw and took a quick look at Namine, “You first,” he said holding out his hand. Namine grinned and with hesitation she took his hand and stepped in the carriage, Roxas bowed again for Riku and when he rose he gave the prince a light punch to the shoulder. “What?”
“By the way, you’re just Riku, ok? No royalties at all, got it?” Roxas said.
“Um, okay, so I guess I just call you Roxas?”
“Exactly, be a teenage though,” Roxas hopped back in his seat.
Riku stared at him for a moment then realized that he was being treated like a regular teen. He hopped in the carriage and closed the door himself. Roxas then gave the horse a light tap with the reigns and the carriage started down the trail. Riku sighed and kept his back straight as he sat in the seat. The bumps in the road had Riku bouncing here and there but Namine seemed to move with them and not against them.
Sitting across from Namine, Riku tried to hold his feelings together.
Namine turned to face him but saw that he was stiff and silent, she went to sit next to him and he moved over subtlety but quickly. “What’s wrong?” she asked leaning toward him.
“Nothing… I just…”
“A prince should never stutter,” she smiled. “C’mon tell me what’s wrong.”
Riku swallowed and tried to turn his head to face her but he found it to be very difficult with her so close, “Well, I wanted to tell you something.”
“And that is?”
“I…”
The carriage stopped and Roxas was at the door in a few seconds. He opened the door and waved, “C’mon, let’s go,” he said.
Riku for a second wanted to address Roxas not bowing but he remembered that he was going to act like a normal teen. So he sucked it up and got out of the carriage. Namine stood by the door and waited for him, Riku stepped on to the brick paved road and Riku gazed around. They had stopped in front of a placed that was called a café. Riku had never heard of such a place but he became curious. “I think you’ll like this place,” Namine said. She led Riku in the small café. Riku, upon entering, had his eyes widen with surprise and overwhelming amazement. The smell of tea was strong and the cozy atmosphere made the ideal place for tea drinkers and not coffee drinkers.
The small café, had a small stage in front of the large window that was next to the front door but was divided by a white railing. The Christmas lights were lining the stage, the window, the front door and the wall along the father side of the café from the door. There was a little ramp at the door and it had a red carpet that led to the end of the small ramp. At the end of the ramp there was a fake tree, also covered in these Christmas lights. There were three tables, each table had either two or four chairs and there were four sofas. There were coffee tables in front of every sofa. There was a small bookshelf to the side of the L shaped counter and there a man waited for someone to make an order.
“This place is amazing,” Riku said.
Roxas was sitting at one of the tables; he placed his wallet back in his pocket and waved the two over. Namine started to head over there and she sat first, Riku, whom was still at the door, just stood amazed. After a while he started to head for the table. Sitting down he realized that there were only five people in the café, and that was including them. Frowning at that he faced Namine and Roxas.
“Okay, I ordered us some tea, I hope you guys like Italian Blood Orange tea,” he said.
“What kind of tea is that?” Riku said almost in a sarcastic way.
“Its an exotic tea, IDK where they get it from,” Roxas shrugged.
“IDK? What on earth are you saying?”
Roxas chuckled, “Sorry I forgot you don’t speak that, IDK means I don’t know.”
Riku raised his silver eyebrow, “Hm, I see, the first letter of each word, that makes sense.”
“Yeah,” Namine smiled. “Well, I’ll be right back,” she stood from her chair and went down a hallway that was towards the back of the café. As she left the waitress appeared to them, her hair was long and brown and her eyes were hazel with a strong hint of red. She was about Namine’s height with a shade darker skin, she wore a red scarf around her neck. Before Riku could see her name tag she faced Roxas.
“Sir, your tea will be out shortly, is there any sweets I can get you?” she asked politely.
“Yeah, I’ll order for my friend too, and I’ll have Portuguese coconut cupcakes and honey water please,” Roxas said.
“Okay, I’ll have it out shortly,” she grinned and walked off.
Roxas laughed, “Dude you were staring so hard at her boobs, you’re such a perv,” he laughed out.
“I wasn’t staring at her breast I was trying to read her name tag,” Riku said turning red.
“All the guys say that, dude, its okay, she’s had it happen to her a lot, just don’t hit on her, she’ll kill you,” Roxas whispered.
“Why do you say that?” Riku became very interested.
“She ran away from home, and after she came here she was attacked by a robber and she was raped and he cut her throat, that’s why she wears a scarf, and this was the only place that would hire her because she had no proof of ID,” Roxas sat back in his chair. “She’s had it rough, she’s a good kid and she’s very strong for her size.”
“I see,” Riku gazed at her once more, “So, what’s her name?”
“She hasn’t told anyone her real name but she always ask that we call her Sarah,” Roxas said.
After a moment Sarah appeared to them. She sat picture of honey water, the plate of cupcakes and the tea pot down in front of the two. She had a bright smile on her face that didn’t speak “I’ve been hurt by man” it spoke, “I’m ready to trust again,” and this caught Riku’s attention. He pulled his eyes away and gazed at the floor. He had no idea there were people in his kingdom hurting like that.
“Sir, what kind of sweetener would you like?” she called to him.
Riku faced her and stared, “I would like agave please,” he said in a fine whisper. But she heard him and smiled.
“Oh good the tea is here,” Namine came back, “So what happened, Riku looks down,” she asked Roxas.
“I told him about Sarah,” Roxas said.
“Oh, did you tell him why the person did it when you caught him?” she asked.
“Oh, no I forgot that,” he faced Riku, “Well, he claimed that he was desperate and needed money since his place went out of business, and when he robbed her, he claimed that one thing led to another and he rapped her because his wife left him and she looked like his wife and a whole bunch of crap like that,” Roxas groaned, “And I was willing to give him the rope but Sarah said that she forgave him and didn’t want him to be hung.”
“What? She didn’t want him dead?” Riku said in amazement.
“Apparently not, she said that two wrongs don’t make a right, and ten months after the rape I found out she had a month old kid,” Roxas said getting more upset.
“Oh… that’s horrible, she’s too noble, did you ask why she forgave the man?”
“She said it was her place to forgive and God’s place to punish,” Roxas answered. “It was for her to ask for forgiveness and if God gives him punishment, she wouldn’t get in the way, but if God gave him another chance then he gave the man another chance.”
Riku looked at her again, she was too happy, and it hurt him that she was willing to have the child after being raped and she was willing to forgive this man who could have killed her. Riku sighed, “At least she’s okay, I guess,” Riku sighed.
“Yeah, I know,” Namine gazed at Roxas, “And someone is really upset, you should calm down,” she gave him a pat on the back.
“Yeah, I get worked up talking about this,” Roxas stood and went out the door.
Namine watched as he went off, “I’m thinking about asking Roxas out,” she admitted openly.
Riku’s heart pounded, “What?”
“I like Roxas, and I sometimes feel like we were almost meant to be,” she said, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have just up and said that,” she blushed.
Riku’s heart continued to pound, “No… its okay, well, does he… make you happy?”
Namine grinned, “Yeah, he does.”
Riku put on a fake smile and grabbed her hand, “Namine, you should go to him,” he said.
“But… but what if it’s too soon,” she said.
Riku grinned, “It’s not… just take it slow ok?”
Namine grinned and nodded to Riku and ran off. Riku grinned as she walked off but once she was gone he sat down. He watched through the large window as Namine walked up to the leaning royal guard and she gave him a small grin and shared some words. Roxas looked at her amazed and he then gave her a smile. Namine gazed back at the window and she gave Riku a happy wave. Riku waved back and threw in a fake grin.
He turned away and sighed. “I have a duty to my kingdom… I can’t marry her anyway…”
“You look down,” Sarah appeared to him. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh… Sarah…” Riku blushed. “I’m sorry.”
“About what?”
“Uh, nothing…” he said turning his face away, “I, um, I heard about your story… I wish there was a way I could help.”
“Oh, Roxas told you?” Sarah sat, taking the free chair, “Listen, I’m okay with it, I mean, its over, he got off and even though I haven’t seen him in a while I know that he feels sorry.”
Riku listened as she went on, and she was so polite and gentle. She even told Riku a few jokes to get his mind off the wrong done to her. When it was all over she stood and gave him a light punch to the shoulder. She smiled and took the used and dirty cups. She walked away leaving a grin on Riku’s face. Roxas and Namine had returned in the middle of Sarah’s story and they were now enjoying their tea and each other. Riku had to admit, she looked so happy, Namine and Roxas seemed to be made for each other. Riku kept himself calm and cool but every fiber in his being told him to come up and scream at Namine what he was feeling and how he felt.
After a moment, Riku noticed that Sarah had left chalk on the table. Riku grinned, as if he was going to write with chalk. He picked it up and gazed at it. Then shrugged and drew a circle on the table. To his surprise the table had a chalk board on it. He grinned again and took a sip of his tea. At the corner of his eyes he saw a man stand on the stage and he called attention to the café and he spoke out. His brains fell far down his back; his dark skin was smooth and well taken care of. He smiled and said, “Welcome to open talk night! I’m you’re host, I wanna ask that you put a hand together for Exotic Tea Parlour.”
Riku, after a moment, starting clapping and he watched and listened carefully.
“Okay, we have a few artists that will perform for you tonight and they are here now, one of them is coming late but he’ll be in. And tonight I will start us off with our singer…”
So the show went on and during this time Riku watched and finally felt more alive, he felt free for the first time. He was sitting down as a teen, a teenage, not a royal prince. He felt so… happy. He looked over at Namine and a small sad grin crawled on his face. Facing the poet, he felt sad again, he wasn’t with the person he waned to be with, instead she was with someone else that made her happy.
He didn’t know what to do about this, but his royal teachings taught him to be calm, and not to be bratty when something doesn’t go his way. He sighed and listened to the next acts.
“Okay, our last act for the night,” He waved his hand with it he summoned up the last act for the night. “Replica of Awe,” he announced. With that a teenage, with long silver hair stepped up to the small stage. The teen had a small grin on his face. He seemed nervous but he was calm enough not to actually speak his nervousness. He sat down on a stool and cleared his throat. After a moment he started, keeping his eyes behind his silver bang.
“I haven’t finished it yet, but I would like it if you guys hear the first part. Okay, here it goes,” he looked down at his notepad, “Like a bird that flies in the morning light, or a butterfly in the spring, when your spirit rides on the winds of hope you’ll find your wings. For you’re always free to begin again, and you’re always free to believe, when you find the place that your heart belongs, and that’s all I got, thanks,” he stood from his stool and gave something like a quick bow and moved off stage.
Riku blinked in confusion, that person looked familiar. The boy passed the three quickly and rushed to the bathroom. He soon came back out with a cape on and rushed out. Riku watched him leave but shrugged. “I’m going to the bathroom,” he stood and walked to the back. He walked down the short hallway to the restroom. When he got to the bathroom he noticed the notebook that the last person had. He picked it up and dashed out the door.
“Riku, where are you going?” Roxas saw him at the corner of his eye.
“That kid left his notebook I’m gonna return it before he gets too far away,” he said as he dashed off. He ran down the street, and he saw the kid with his dark cape. He rushed faster, he was about to get on a horse. Riku then yelled out, “Replica of Awe! Replica!” he yelled out as much as possible. He kept running and found himself gasping for air.
“Yeah, what do you want?” the kid was on a horse and had met Riku where he stood.
“Here, you left this notebook in the bathroom,” Riku said gasping for air.
The kid got off his horse and reached out for the notebook but paused, “Thanks…” he saw the teen’s face and paused, “What kind of joke are you playing?”
“What? This isn’t your notebook?” he stood from his hunched over stance and gasped for air. “I’m sorry I thought it was,” he said whipping sweat from his forehead.
Replica groaned, grabbed Riku’s neck and threw him against the brick wall, “Why do you look like me?!” he yelled, “Who are you?!”
Riku remained calm, “What are you talking about!” he kneed his attacker and threw a punch at him. The teen gathered himself and tackled Riku at the knees. They hit the ground and they wrestled in an alleyway. Riku wasn’t sure why this person was attacking him but it was clear that he was going to fight with everything he had. Riku grabbed his opponent’s arm and put it in an arm lock. The teen struggled but soon was free and elbowed Riku in the face. Riku grabbed his face and the other teen stood. Riku collected himself and stood.
“You’re good,” the teen whipped his nose.
Riku groaned and charged at the caught the teen off guard. He had him against a wall under a street light. He pulled off his mask and arched his arm to punch the teen in his face. He paused when he saw the face. When he saw the mirror image of himself, he backed off. He backed off and fell back, “Who are you? You… you look exactly like me…”
“Who are you? I know this island like the back of my hand and I’ve seen almost everyone in it, but you, who the heck are you?”
Standing up, fixing his clothes, and clearing his throat, “For your information, I’m Prince Riku.”