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

[untraditional]

That's scary... was there a mass kidnapping? I don't know...

And by the way, um. My name is R-Ruka Urushibara. What is yours...?

[subjugated]

[He starts to say something but stops himself, and then corrects the name that he was going to say. Britannia might be around; he should better not use his real name, the one from before the occupation.]

It is nice to meet you, Ms Urushibara. My name would be Eleven now.

[untraditional]

[ Ms... she blushes a little, and smiles despite the oddness of his name. ]

It's good to meet you too, Eleven. I've never heard of anyone naming their child a number, so it's a little strange for me... but it has a ring to it, doesn't it?

[subjugated]

It's not my real name. [Not that he has parents, but that is always a bit of a difficult topic to delve into.] But it is what I'm called now.

[untraditional]

Ah, a nickname... [ She starts to recall something, but it stops right there. Weird. She pulls a face. ]

[subjugated]

No, a new official name.

[He smiles politely and nods out of the window.] Do these surroundings look familiar to you?

[untraditional]

[ She understands now that he means to change the topic-- clearly this is uncomfortable for him, she thinks. She feels a bit guilty, but doesn't say anything about it. ]

No... I'm from the city, so it's odd to see so much open space outside of my family's shrine. It isn't familiar to you either, is it?

[subjugated]

While it is rather unexpected as the final destination's name implies that I should know the place, I have to admit that I cannot place it in the slightest.

May I ask what city you are from?

[untraditional]

Ah, I'm from Tokyo. Are you Japanese too...?

[subjugated]

You could say so.

[It's not accurate in many ways, but he would like to leave it at that. Though he is really wondering now if she grew up that sheltered, or if she chose those names and words with deliberation.]