New Arrivals (All new characters)

[utopiamods]

You're falling, and you can't remember why. It's a sickening feeling that makes your insides lurch; the darkness and the vertigo combine, and all you can think of is a story you heard once, somewhere.

Ah, I remember now. It's... a simple story that everyone knows. A legend of a Princess, the Demon Lord who kidnapped her, and the Knight who fought to save her. The Demon Lord had kidnapped the Princess countless times, but every time the Knight bested his challenges and rescued the Princess. No matter what tricks and ploys the Demon Lord used, the Knight would always triumph in the end. This was because--

The world tilts on its axis one last time, and the dream slips from your mind as easily as it arrived. A new voice intrudes on your sleep. Mechanical, monotonous.

"Next stop: Rakuen City. This train terminates here. The next stop is Rakuen. All change." The train rocks steadily. The sun shines through the window cheerfully and if you look out the window you will see rolling meadows full of spring flowers. Steam drifts past the window, it is warm. A mixture of sunlight and the heating of the seats, it adds to the dreamlike atmosphere.

It's strangely difficult to shake off the sleep; the rhythm of the train seems to lull you back into slumber and the air is warm and heavy, making it hard to keep hold of a thought. Finally, though, the nausea settles, the last of the dream fades and you can take in your surroundings. And, perhaps more importantly, those around you in a similar state. The train judders to a stop, through the rain lined windows there is a building and people gathered on the platform.

"We have arrived at Rakuen City. All passengers must leave the train. This train is terminating here. This is Rakuen."

Comments

[witchofspace]

[Jade is still heavily lidded with sleep when she sits up, shielding her eyes from the sunshine drifting in through the window.
Where in the world was she...?
This definitely hadn't been where she'd last fallen asleep, nor did she even recall there being any sort of train in any of their worlds, and definitely not on the ship... Perhaps John had arranged some sort of prank? He certainly had her good, then!
Rubbing the remaining sleepies out of her eyes, she absentmindedly grabs the bag next to her and drifts her way towards the exit of the train, curiously peering around and looking for someone to bother about what was going on.]

[timelike]

[ Dave is still sitting when Jade walks by, arms crossed over his chest and eyes hidden behind his shades. He's staring out the window, trying to look like he doesn't give a shit about figuring out what's going on, so he doesn't notice her at first.

Behind the poker face, he's freaking out a little. ]

[witchofspace]

[....Back pedaling a little, here.]

Dave!! Is that you?

[timelike]

Whuh?

[ Shit that wasn't cool at all. Let's just pretend it didn't happen. ]

Yeah, it's me. You know anyone else this cool?

[witchofspace]

[She grins widely, and immediately plunges herself into the seat next to him.]

No one's cooler than you, Mr. Cool Guy!

[Oh my god, she wasn't expecting to see him again for another 2 years and suddenly here they are on this weird train! If she had a tail, it would be wagging right now.
Jade kind of wanted to give him a hug, but she didn't know if cool guys gave hugs or not... So she'll kind of just hold out her arms a little, as if asking for permission.]

[timelike]

Damn straight.

[ He eyes her extended arms and quirks a single, eloquent brow. The corner of his mouth quirks up the tiniest bit. He's not really one for hugging, but he'll make an exception for Jade.

Striders don't initiate hugs, though. She'll have to go the rest of the way. ]

[witchofspace]

[And he will thusly be on the receiving end of the tightest, snuggliest hug in the history of paradox space.]

It's so good to see you again, Dave!

[timelike]

[ Oh wow, that is an impressive hug. He returns it firmly, running a hand briefly down her long hair. ]

Good to see you too.

So uh, what's with the ears? John mentioned them, but he didn't really explain.

[witchofspace]

I don't know! They grew when I ascended to God Tier, so maybe it's a Spacey thing.

[Trying to think any further on it made her head hurt, for whatever reason.]

So, what have you and Rose and all the trolls been up to on the meteor? I can't imagine what a year with Karkat must've been like-- oh! Do you know where we are? I thought John must've been pranking me, but that can't be true if you're here too!

[timelike]

Not sure what space has to do with dogs, but okay.

A year? I was on that meteor for less than an hour before I woke up on this train. Lemme tell ya, though, that was about as much of Karkat as I could take. You think he's obnoxious on Pesterchum? Sister, you ain't seen nothin'. And no, I got no idea where we are. Besides on a train, obviously.

[witchofspace]

Really? It's been over a year since we left on the ship and sent you guys that message... Time shenanigans?

[She snorts a little at the jab at Karkat, and shakes her head.]

He is quite a handful! I feel kind of sorry for you guys.

[Her expression turns thoughtful.]

Maybe we should go look outside? The train did say we had to leave.

[gottakilldaves]

[Jack is trying to figure out how drunk he was last night when a familiar figure walks by. Her clothing is so weird he almost doesn't recognize her, but he sure as fuck wouldn't mistake Jade for anyone. He pushes the rim of his hat up, calling to her in his usual gruff manner.]

Hey, Jade! What the hell are you doing here?!

[what the hell was anyone doing here, seriously]

[witchofspace]

[She jumps a little when the man suddenly yells, but she doesn't recognize the name, so he obviously wasn't calling for her! Thus, Harley continues her way to the exit of the train.]

[gottakilldaves]

[Wow, rude. A normal person would probably assume that meant it wasn't who they thought it was, but fuck that shit. Jack scowls and stands up, following her.]

I'm talking to you, dumbass! [If she's not fast enough, he's grabbing her shoulder with his metal hand (somewhat gently, metalness aside).] The fuck is your problem, you pissed at me or something?

[The exact details are a bit fuzzy for some reason, but he does remember kinda maybe threatening to shoot her cousin in the head... fuck, why did he do that? Like that psycho would even care if he shot some random kid.]

[witchofspace]

[She lets out a gasp in surprise, and stares up at him.]

Oh, I'm sorry! My name is Harley i think and you said Jade so I thought you were talking to someone else...

[Not to mention she didn't recognize this guy at all, though he kind of reminded her of a certain bad dog...]

[gottakilldaves]

[Okay, that's... honestly confusing. She looks like Jade, and she sounds like Jade, and she's saying her name is Harley, but she's also saying she's not Jade.]

... Are you feeling alright, kid? [might be some legit concern in there, if she's listening carefully]

[witchofspace]

My memory gets all fuzzy and my head hurts every time I try to remember my name... all I get is the name Harley, so I'm guessing that's my name!
I don't think I remember you either, mister, sorry... Do you know me?

[gottakilldaves]

[There's a long silence, then he lets go of her shoulder. This is a little too weird for him right now. He's seen some pretty weird shit, but amnesia like this? Fuck. Maybe that poison he took the other day had more serious effects than they thought? And... somehow Jade got some too?? or something???

Or this actually isn't Jade, it's hard to tell when he can't even remember how he got here.

He groans and rubs his face. Maybe he was still half asleep.] Shit, sorry. You just looked like someone else. [like a weird identical twin of someone else...]

[witchofspace]

[She beams him a smile.]

That's ok! What's your name? Maybe I can find you and tell you if I ever see anyone that looks like me named Jade!

[gottakilldaves]

[Her continued Jade-like behaviour is only making him question himself more he doesn't know what to believe in. So he keeps on scowling like a jerk.]

I fucking doubt it, but fine. Tell her Jack's looking for her.

[witchofspace]

[Jack, huh? That's an odd coincidence.]

You never know! This place seems really unusual as it is.

[gottakilldaves]

That's one way to put it... I even don't remember getting on any goddamn trains.

[witchofspace]

Me either. I don't remember any trains on any of the other planets, too...

[nocathere]

Cheshire wanders off the train on his hind legs, looking a bit confused. This was not Wonderland anymore, that was certain. He licks his paw and wipes over his ear a few times, tail swishing from side to side.

"So that was the rabbit hole?"

[gottakilldaves]

Jack is just about to step off when... talking... cats...

Talking cats standing on their hind legs.

He is so utterly baffled by this he continues to stare, one foot in the train and one on the ground. What the hell. How fucked up was he if he was seeing shit like this?

[nocathere]

Cheshire smiled wider at Jack, showing his toothy smile to Jack, and there were a great many sharp teeth to smile with.

He looked Jack up and down appraisingly, "Found the wrong end of a razor?"

[ferriedmemories]

[Fortunately, Komachi is from Gensokyo, Land of Things Not Having To Make Sense. A bipedal, talking cat doesn't even faze her.]

"You could call it that."

[nocathere]

"You are a rabbit hole too then!" He grinned wider, seeming to be pleased with his conclusion.

[ferriedmemories]

"Nah, I'm usually more of a guide. Here, though, we've just stopped falling."

[nocathere]

"That was sitting," he points out. "Falling up the rabbit hole."

[ferriedmemories]

"I'd fly back down, but I'd rather drink the bottle."

[nocathere]

"But that lacks dormouse."

[ferriedmemories]

"Aaaaand there's something I can't respond to. Looks like you win."

[nocathere]

He purred, "Just don't try to take my head. It never works well."

[ferriedmemories]

"As far as I can tell, you're not about to die, and I can't collect anyway."

[nocathere]

Sure you can!

[ferriedmemories]

"You're more fun to have around alive."

[nocathere]

"But I could be dead. Dreams are funny."

[ferriedmemories]

"Nah, I have a sense for these things, you're definitely alive."

[nocathere]

"Living is the best way to be alive. Do you live?"

[ferriedmemories]

"It's a bit complicated but yeah!"

[nocathere]

"Not everyone does!" Cheshire's tail flicks playfully, "I prefer it."

[ferriedmemories]

"Yeah, of course not. Dead people never talk. So I just ramble to myself on the job... it gets super lonely and I really don't like it."

[The last few words come out as obviously irritated.]

[nocathere]

"So get a new job!" Really, it seems so simple to him.

[ferriedmemories]

"I can't."

Well it was true. Stupid afterlife bureaucracy.

[nocathere]

"So make it so that your job is the same title, but something different!" Again, it just seemed so simple to Cheshire.

[ferriedmemories]

"I... don't know what will happen if I do that."

[nocathere]

"Then try!" His smile widens, "You know you won't get anywhere if you don't try to get anywhere."