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]

[ Ruka wakes up, and she's immediately scared. The last thing she remembers is pressing the send button on the phone. And now, as though by magic, she is here. Of course her first thought is going to be: did the past change? But her body is the same. It's totally the same, and that coupled with the fact that she woke up in a place that is totally unfamiliar makes her cry. She hides her face and sobs. ]

[traces]

[ After waking up and assessing the situation through squinted eyes, Dahlia had pretended to go back to sleep. If this was some sort of abduction, she wanted to be able to catch her kidnappers off-guard.

But it looks like everyone else is in the same boat, and when the girl next to her starts crying, Dahlia stirs, pretending to wake, and looks at her in concern. ]

A-are you... are you all right...?

[untraditional]

[ She looks up and wipes her face with her wrists. ] I-I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. ... I'm scared. I don't know where we are.

[traces]

[ At that, Dahlia lets her calm expression relax into something a bit more worried. ] I-I'm scared too... but I'm sure we'll figure something out. Don't worry...

[untraditional]

Yeah... I hope we do... [ sniffle, then ] What's your name...? I'm R-Ruka Urushibara.

[traces]

[ Ah... She pauses. But she hadn't had another name cooked up yet, so she doesn't know what else to say but... ] D-Dahlia. Dahlia...

[ What... was her last name? Why can't she remember it? Had she hit her head on the way down? ]

[untraditional]

Dahlia. [ She manages to smile ] That's a very beautiful name. It's good to meet you... I haven't met many other people who weren't Japanese.

[subjugated]

[A handkerchief is quietly offered to her.]

[untraditional]

[ She gingerly takes it, and wipes her face with it. ] Thank you very much. D-do you happen to know where we are? The train said "Rakuen", but I don't know where that is.

[subjugated]

The place isn't familiar to me, either. My apologies.

[He's digging through the places of his clothing where he usually stores candy. Sweets are usually good to cheer up young people.]

[untraditional]

It's alright. ... I wonder, does everyone not know what's happening either?

[subjugated]

That is how it seems.

[He wonders what the purpose of all of this is.]

[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...?

[drawsdeath]

Crying isn't going to change anything.

[The noise is annoying Becca, and frankly she's jealous of the other girl for being so open with her emotions that she can just cry in public like this.]

[untraditional]

I'm scared... that's all. I'm very sorry for bothering you, I didn't mean to... so don't be angry... I'll stop.

[drawsdeath]

[Becca sighs. She hadn't meant to terrify the girl further.]

Just... Don't cry about it if there's something you can do. There's gotta be a way out of here.

[untraditional]

[ She's wiping at her eyes with a bit of desperation. She's embarrassed and ashamed now, thanks to this person's words. ]

Y-yes. A way out... there has to be one... but I wonder, how far from home are we? It could take days to get back...

[drawsdeath]

So? Getting back's what matters, and crying about it won't get you back.

[untraditional]

[ Her frown deepens, and she rests her hands on her lap. ]

Yes... you're right, I'm very sorry.

[koyo]

( There's a girl crying beside Spain and of course, he can't let such a cute girl go on crying, )

Don't cry, señorita, whatever is wrong, I'm sure it will be okay. . .

[untraditional]

[ She shakes her head, and continues on for a moment longer. But after that, she does manage to look up at him. She tries her best to compose herself. ] I'm sorry... thank you very much for your kindness. I just don't know what's happening...

[koyo]

( Why is she shaking her head? He doesn't really understand. )

I'm afraid I don't know either. Ah, but perhaps if we both think together, we can figure something out, hm?

[untraditional]

Everyone seems to be this way... no one knows anything. [ Wiping her tears. ] I-it's hard to be optimistic... I'm sorry. I'm not very good at thinking, but I'll do my best.

[koyo]

It isn't so hard. See? I can even teach you: Everything will be okay.

( It's hard to tell if he's teasing or being serious. )

Jajaja, I'm not very good at thinking either but it never hurts to try. The announcer said we're going to "Rakuen." Have you heard of it before?

[untraditional]

[ She smiles a little, and nods once. ] Yes. It might take a while, but... everything will be okay, won't it? And... I haven't. I guess you haven't heard of it either.

A lot of people appearing in the same place at once with no memory of how they got there... it's like an anime.