and then they fell. [rakuen revolution opening post]

[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 as it winds its way through white drifts of now. Sunlight streams through the window, heating the air and making the seats almost uncomfortably warm. A puff of steam from the train winds its way lazily past the windows when the wind is right.

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.

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

Comments

[mrdickery]

[He's slow to wake, which is a new one to him. Granted, while he's not all that fond of mornings, he's never had an issue waking up once he's decided to, so this morning apathy is... really concerning. Bringing up his hand to his head and dragging it over his face, he blinks his eyes rapidly against the bright light and looks up-

... and around-

One more twist of the head...] What the...?

[And who the heck is sleeping on him?]

[tenwholeryou]

[ zzzzzz ]

[mrdickery]

Who the heck...? [Uh, right, sorry kid, he's putting a hand on your shoulder and shaking you awake.] Hey...

[tenwholeryou]

[ zz- wait that's not a voice he recognises. ACTION STATIONS BRAIN---- his body doesn't follow the prompt, and as he wakes up and automatically squirms away from the hand on his shoulder, he hits the edge of the seat and promptly slides right off. ]

[mrdickery]

Whoa- hey! [Not... the reaction he was expecting. Don't mind him getting to his feet now to make sure Kotarou didn't brain himself on the edge of the seat or something.]

You okay?

[tenwholeryou]

[ow ow ow. But he's not really hurt enough that he can't complain so he snaps:] No thanks to you!

[mrdickery]

[Alive and snippy. We're good to go.]

My bad. [But he sounds completely unrepentant.] Just wanted to ask you a question, got any idea where we are?

[tenwholeryou]

What a stupid question. We're--

[oh right looking around is a thing you should do. He does that now, and just stares open-mouthed at the rest of the train.]

[mrdickery]

[... that can't be good. Hands on the backs of the seats to steady himself against the train's motions, he takes another quick glance and frowns. They both seem to be in the "I-have-never-seen-this-before" boat.]

Looks like they're telling us to get off.

[herplaceinthesun]

It's a bus, I guess. Doesn't look like it flies or anything.

[Old-fashioned buses, man. What do?]

[mrdickery]

A what? [Bus? Future? Technology? Whassat?]

[herplaceinthesun]

A bus! You know, wheels go round and round . . . [Dude are you for real? Aisha is slightly embarrassed for you. Very slightly.]

[mrdickery]

[Lady, their primary way of getting around was a boat attached to a flying whale. Do not start with him.]

Uh huh... and where are we?

[herplaceinthesun]

[See, that's when she'd start questioning her level of inebriation.]

From what they said, Rakuen City. You guess is just as good as mine where that actually is, I've never heard of it in my life!

[mrdickery]

[It was that or a giant, mechanical beetle.]

Well, that makes two of us. [Low sigh, this day's starting off amazingly.] I'm Yuri.

[herplaceinthesun]

[Well in that case . . .]

I'm Aisha Clanclan. I would say it's nice to meet you, but I'm hungry and starting to get pissed off.

[mrdickery]

[I'm still trying to figure out how they have a moving war machine and not a train...]

Then I guess we'd better get off this thing so we can find something to eat.

[koyo]

( Spain is sitting across from him and whispers, )

Shh, you'll wake up the person beside you!

[mrdickery]

[At Spain's insistence, he settles down but looks pretty disgruntled.]

Where am I?

[koyo]

On a train.

( And he says this very simply. Like he's stating the obvious but not in a malicious sort of way. )

[mrdickery]

Train. [Repeats that because... no really, what the heck is a train?] And where's this train?

[koyo]

Sí.

We're on it right now.

[mrdickery]

Any idea where it's headed? [Spain, you are just so helpful he cannot even. B|]

[koyo]

( Spain is the most helpful and you can thank him later. )

Rakuen City! ( HE SOUNDS SO CONFIDENT. HE MUST KNOW SOMETHING? ) Where ever that is.

[mrdickery]

[If he remembers. ... or if Spain deserves it. Either or.]

So we're lost.