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

[shootingforpeace]

[Her eyes opened slowly. Oh this had to be the strangest afterlife ever. Koharu had never imagined it would be on a train. She felt the frills at her neck and the gloves on her hands. Still in her magical girl outfit--that was the strangest part. She had imagined she'd be in normal clothes. A part of her seized up, Sora was probably dead--but it was too warm and comfortable and the train lulled the thought away. Sora was loud, she'd have heard her in the afterlife by now.

She closed her eyes against the sun, letting her mind drift until the train finally lurched to a stop]

Oh! [She stumbled to her feet, ever obedient to the train voices, and looked around again.] Shouldn't there be more of us...people die everyday.

[drawsdeath]

What are you talking about?

[Becca looks over, and something about what the girl had said was giving her a dreadful headache. These headaches were starting to become the norm for her, and that was desperately unsettling--they never had been before.]

It's just a train...

[shootingforpeace]

...Isn't this the afterlife? I mean--I died, doesn't this mean this is...[Cue all the confusion]

[drawsdeath]

You died?

[Such a headache. Becca puts a hand to her temple and winces.]

How is that even possible?

[shootingforpeace]

I don't actually know. I was sort of assuming this was...well, paradise. Rakuen.

[drawsdeath]

You've heard of Rakuen before?

[shootingforpeace]

It's a word in Japanese, my language. It means paradise...loosely at least.

[herplaceinthesun]

I'd better not be dead . . . [of course, last thing she remembers is being in that big fire, so she actually could be dead, except that she was a well, she wasn't sure, but it was something awesome. Aisha leaned over the seat in front of her, peering at the other girl.]

Oh man, nice outfit! Well, nice costume anyway. Shame if ya died in it though.

[shootingforpeace]

[Koharu smiles, smoothing down the skirt] Thank you. I never intended to die in it--I was doing quite well.

You're not dead? Are you sure? I don't remember quite how I died either.

[herplaceinthesun]

Well, I can't be suuuuuure, but I don't feel dead! 'Sides, some stupid werewolf certainly couldn't kill a great . . .

[A great what? Why didn't she know that? What the hell?!? But she just grins.]

A great whatever I am! Hey, that's kind of a weird thing not to remember.

[shootingforpeace]

It's no matter. You're great, that's the point, right? [She hides a little smile] I've never seen anyone like you before though.

[herplaceinthesun]

Exactly! [Oh, Aisha loves you, magical blonde girl who might be dead.] Really? Hmmm, I guess you wouldn't know what I am either then, if you've never heard of my people before. But you should have!

Something's off here, besides the fact that no one's gotten me anything to eat yet. There's no way that you've . . .

[She's pretty legitimately confused right now.]

[shootingforpeace]

...I think a lot of is off to be honest. You don't remember things, I don't know your people...I don't remember how I died. ...Do you remember magical girls? Japan? Earth at all?

[revelation]

( This other girl's outfit makes Madoka pause and consider more than her words, something about it was so familiar that she can feel her chest tighten before the words finally hit her and she gives a small smile. )

... I don't think that's it. ( After all. Mami, Sayaka and Kyouko... none of them were here if that was true. ) At least I'm pretty sure I didn't die.

[shootingforpeace]

[Koharu smiled sadly and shook her head] I...I'm still sure I died, if I don't really remember how. One would think I would--ah, I'm sorry. I don't mean to place these things on you. I'm glad then. No one should have to suffer that.

[revelation]

It's okay. ( It's a far too familiar feeling, even if she does not know this girl. ) I... I'm sorry though, um, oh... I'm Madoka. Kaname Madoka.

[shootingforpeace]

Izaki Koharu...It's nice to meet you Kaname. [She gave her a little bow] I don't suppose you know any more about this than I do?

[revelation]

It's fine to just call me Madoka, Koharu-chan! ( As always, she smiles and returns the bow but rights up with a shake of her head. ) I'm sorry but I don't.

[shootingforpeace]

If you're sure, Madoka. I wish I knew more then. It's upsetting to be somewhere new and not know why...

[duchy]

Die?

[Lithuania looks over from his exploration of the train, startled.]

[shootingforpeace]

[By this point, Koharu has in fact, decided that if this is the afterlife, not everyone knows they're dead. Let's not tell the little kid THAT at least]

...I--well I thought I died before I came here. I'm not sure how though, so there's that. I wouldn't worry too much about it, perhaps I just...was hurt and now I'm better?

[AWYES. Sugarcoating things for the little one]

[duchy]

[Lithuania looks her up and down once.]

It doesn't look like you're hurt now. I know there was nothing wrong with me before I left.

[shootingforpeace]

[Koharu takes her seat again, mostly to stay more at Lithuania's level] Then I'm sure you're fine, dear. I wouldn't worry too much.

[duchy]

It's still a little worrying.

[Lithuania inches a bit closer.]

Are you alright?

[shootingforpeace]

I feel fine, so I must be fine, right? Are you alright?