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

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

[ 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. ]

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?

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

[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?

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.]

[... 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.

[ Oichi wakes up, and she thinks that she's in another dream. So of course there is nothing odd about this all. She does not stand, but continues to sit; she blearily rubs her eyes and looks the both of these people over. ]

Hello, hello... [ she says it sleepily. ] What a lovely place... what is it called? Ichi is curious, so tell her...

Rakuen. [ he just repeats it dumbly after the announcement that blares through the carriage. And then stares again at the woman. Wow, a noble. ]

Don't suppose you've heard of this place either? [His voice says he's not hopeful. Then again, it's the same casual, drawling tone he always has, so who knows.]

Ichi has not. [ She tilts her head, and looks around very curiously ]

[ so there they are, a trio of totally confused individuals. Except when people start heading towards the exits, Kotarou takes action. These two seem okay, and he can get away faster outside if they aren't. ]

C'mon. Let's go! [ IMPERIOUS BRAT VOICE IS GO. If either of them don't make immediate moves, he grabs their wrists and tugs. ]

Hey! [Suddenly being dragged by a young kid down a really cramped carriage aisle does not make for good walking efficiency. Especially when you have to cram two people into a small space. Still, he's going, because it's either that or stand there awkwardly as Kotarou tugs his arm off.] What's the rush?

[ Oichi lets herself be tugged along, and just giggles as she shuffles carelessly through the train. ]

So many people... we're not alone here, how wonderful... Ichi was beginning to wonder, 'perhaps we're the only ones alive'...

Stay in the crowd, idiot! You wanna be noticed? [ he kid-snarls this at Yuri, deliberately turned away from Oichi so she doesn't hear him. Or something. he's not really thinking properly. ]

Ichi? Is that your name? I'm Kotarou.

[If anybody notices him first in this colorful crowd, that'd be a first. ... wait, no, that happens to him all the time. Nevermind. The fact that this kid is so serious though is pretty interesting...]

Kotarou? Eeeh, Kota's easier. [The nickname fiend strikes again.]

Yes, that is my name... [ She continues to be dragged along, and doesn't notice Kotarou being angry with Yuri. ] Kota... Kota is cute, like a little berry... Ichi thinks she'll call you that too...

[ and by the time Oichi's finished deciding, Kotarou realises it's too late to protest. He does it anyway. Also, he isn't cute! ]

Why'd you get to decide on a name for me? You haven't even told me yours!

[Meanwhile, Yuri's sorta convinced Oichi is one of those... "special" kinds of girls. This could be fun.]

Don't remember you asking.

Kota, Kota... [ She sings the nickname lightly, so lightly that it might be hard to hear. She then looks to Yuri. ] What is your name, not-Kota... Ichi wishes to know. Let's talk and make merry together, ok...? The moment you tell Ichi your name, we'll be friends...

[ oh no, now she's doing it. But she wants to know this guy's name too, so for now she's on his side. ]

Ichi just asked, so tell us already.

I'm Yuri. [See how easy that was? Nevermind that he's giving Oichi a weird look. She's actually turning out to be a little more air-headed than the girls he's used to.]

[ she laughs, and it's a low sound ] Yuri... Ichi will engrave it into her heart...

[ for all Kotarou knows, this is how all nobility acts. He's still going to give Yuri a blank look before tugging them both further, though. ]

[You can have that look back. He's as in the dark as you are. Nobles and their quirks.]

Uh... thanks.

Edited 2012-01-08 03:05 (UTC)

(no subject)

bedtime - 2012-01-08 04:45 (UTC) - Expand