New Arrivals (All new characters)

[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. Rain pounds on the train and runs down the window in rivulets. Despite the rain there is a ray of sunlight streaming 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

[maidenknight]

[ Brienne notices the shaking, but decides to ignore it. Of course the girl is terrified. Likely, she's been plucked from her homeworld and placed on this carriage just like Brienne. There would be no reason for a native to be suspicious of such activity, but a foreigner...

When she speaks again, her voice is gruff, but reassuring. ] It's better than being dead. Even the act of dying is unpleasant. [ A pause, and then she supposes that since the girl hasn't insulted her looks or her manner of dress just yet (nor mistaken her for a man), that she might as well introduce herself. After all, this might be retribution: Brienne might have been placed here to look for Sansa. If that was the case, she needed to continue. Jaime would be waiting for word. ]

My name is Brienne.

[overthroen]

That's what I've been told. [ Oh God. Has she died? Have they failed? She swallows. ] Brienne. I'm Rose.

[ She looks around, sightlessly, eyes finding no purchase. ] Where are we? Do you recognize anything?

[maidenknight]

[ A pretty name for a pretty girl, she thinks idly. In another time and place, she might look slightly like the girl she's actually searching for. But her hair isn't auburn, though they appear to be similar in age. And the only girl Brienne's ever met with short hair was...well, herself. ]

I don't, Lady Rose. The iron carriage is uncomfortable, but it's moving in one direction.

[overthroen]

[ Carriage, moving. Rain, falling. And Brienne, talking to her. Little details that allowed Rose to pull together an idea of where she was. It was a poor substitute for eyesight, but it worked.

She dropped her voice. ] Are there others here, as well? [ It was revealing, but she wanted to know. ]

[maidenknight]

Yes. I've met a... [ oh god how does she explain this ] A talking horse.

[overthroen]

[ She raises an eyebrow. ] I've heard of stranger things. Did it have stimulating didactic regarding nutritious hay choices?