rakuen | and then they fell. [rakuen revolution opening post]

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."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Red blinks, a little taken aback by Gino invading his personal space, but he doesn't really react otherwise except to follow his gaze. At Gino's question, he shrugs again, a little less visibly. Maybe it's something like that, but... he feels like he said he'd come. So... where?]

... [Can't speak. How does he talk? Red has a moment of fishing for his bag, as if expecting to find paper there, but he realizes he doesn't carry anything like that with him. No way to communicate... he didn't think this would be such a problem.]

[yeah. Gino reaches the same conclusion, and slumps back against his seat. The cape makes it more dramatic that it should be.

And THEN he realises the guy hasn't said a word yet.] Hey, man. What's the problem?

[Red looks up, a little startled. Gotta get used to responding to people again... He raises a hand, realizes he's not sure what he's doing with it, and lowers it to think for a moment. Then, embarrassed, he draws two fingers across his mouth in a zipping-his-lips expression, hoping that gets it across.]

Huh. You can't talk? [Weird. His expression says as much, but it quickly shifts to a smile. It's not this guy's fault they're trapped on an old train going who-knows-where.]

Don't worry about it. I'm Gino, okay? The Knight of One.

[Red nods. He thinks for a second, since he can't say his name; then he reaches into a pocket of his bag and pulls out a laminated card, holding it up to show Gino briefly. TRAINER NAME: Red is written on the first line. Ignore the date (1996) and the fact that his picture is three years younger.]

Nice t'meet you, Red. Wish it could've been somewhere else, though. [ and without asking, he swipes the card to have a better look. ] 1996? [ but the guy looks older in person, so maybe it's outdated.

Really, really outdated. ]

What do you train? Are you a sports coach?

[Red instinctively begins to reach for the card back, but as Gino begins reading it, he gives up. He doesn't respond to Gino's comment on the year; it's not that long without updating his card, is it?]

[The question takes him by surprise. Sports? Why would he do sports? He shakes his head slowly, not sure how to answer such a weird question without words. Then he thinks to reach for his belt and show a pokeball--]

[He gasps as his hand meets an empty belt pouch. Pushing his jacket aside, he looks at the belt -- completely clear. They're all gone. There's a moment where he freezes; then Red is fishing through his bag frantically, looking at the seat, looking everywhere his pokeballs could possibly have gone. Please say they're not gone, please say they're not...]

[ Gino shifts back to let Red keep searching, even lifting his cape out of the way a few times, but he's still baffled as to what the guy - Red - is looking for in the first place. ]

[...they're not there. Not in his bag, not on his belt, not in the creases of his seat. His pokemon -- his partners -- are gone, just like that.]

[Red sits back down, slumping immediately in his seat. He doesn't even acknowledge Gino's presence, just stares at the back of the seat in front of him. Wherever he's going, he doesn't have them with him. First his title, now this...]

Hey, c'mon. [Did you want a hand on your shoulder? Because you've got one. Also, you can have your card back.] Maybe it's in luggage, or something.

[The hand on his shoulder and the card being offered bring Red back to reality. He nods, more of an acknowledgment than an agreement, then takes the card and slips it back into his bag slowly. Well... it's possible, right? Red glances at Gino, then sits up slightly, looking just a little less hopeless. For the first time, he actually gives Gino a quick look-over. Weird clothes... really weird. Maybe he's a performer?]

and then they fell. [rakuen revolution opening post]

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