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

[cullscuttlefish]

"Huh? Did my tiara slip off when I was sleeping or something?" Because of course it couldn't be that she looked strange to a human. She blinked a few times, then responded.

"I'm Feferi. I'm a troll, from the planet Alternia."

[drawsdeath]

"Woah, an alien?" she gasps, staring at her. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a notebook and a pencil, opening it up to the first blank page. "Can I draw you?" she asked hopefully. A real alien, and a pretty one at that. Becca can't help but be excited at the prospect.

[cullscuttlefish]

"Yep. It's kind of weird saying it out loud..." There was a faint smile on Feferi's face, though. It was weird, but not that weird, not compared to how she must look.

"If you want to."

[drawsdeath]

Becca put her pencil to the page, but as soon as she tried moving it, she cried out in pain as a massive headache tore through her head. She dropped the pencil and put her hand to her temple, not sure what was happening.

"I... I can't draw... I don't know what's going on..."

[cullscuttlefish]

Feferi jumped out of her seat, running up to Becca. "What happened? I - do you need me to get someone?"

[drawsdeath]

"I...I don't know," she panted, whimpering softly as the pain slowly ebbed away. "I just...as soon as I tried to draw, it felt like someone put an axe through my head..."

[cullscuttlefish]

"Hold on a second, let me get you some water..." There had to be at least a fountain. Feferi found the fountain and a cup, coming back with it a moment later.

"That's so weird...I can't think of why."

[drawsdeath]

She took the cup and sipped at the water, remembering to say 'thank you' a moment later. "I've never gotten headaches before... I don't get it either..."