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]

[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?

[herplaceinthesun]

The only people I know that can use magic are pirates, and then there's Gene's stupid caster gun. Earth exists, but Terrans started colonizing space a long time ago. Most of you guys aren't on Earth anymore.

[shootingforpeace]

...We haven't colonized space at all...Americans landed on the moon?

[herplaceinthesun]

Oh, I guess we've found our answer then. My time is so far past that it's not even funny . . . so our kidnappers are rather talented.

Someone is seriously getting their ass kicked for this.

[shootingforpeace]

A-Ah I wouldn't get that upset. It's probably just a mistake.

[herplaceinthesun]

You're a sweet girl. But really, a mistake? This is sort of past that, dontcha think?

[shootingforpeace]

Well we don't know a thing about what's happening yet. We shouldn't jump to conclusions.

[herplaceinthesun]

[Stop with your logic, guuuurl.]

Well, they should tell us so Aisha can stop jumping.

[shootingforpeace]

I agree. I would like to be told, but for now maybe it would be nice to think the best?

[herplaceinthesun]

If you say so . . . [No, she's not, but she'll pretend.] Say, was it snowing were you came from?